Homeless in Europe Do Not Necessarily Reflect the Views of FEANTSA
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The Magazine of FEANTSA - The European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless AISBL omeless in Europe H Spring 2010 Gender Perspectives on Homelessness Editorial by Suzannah Young Gender Perspectives on Homelessness IN THIS ISSUE 2 Editorial 4 Homelessness in Europe: The Role of Gender Equality Policies Bea Chityil 6 Gender and Homelessness: Homeless Women in Lisbon Ana Martins 9 Male Homelessness as an Apparent Matter of Course Dr. Jörg Fichtner 12 Women and Homelessness in Germany Dr. Uta Enders-Dragässer 15 Transient women, The theme of gender is a lesser-explored area of often neglected when talking about homelessness suffering women, homelessness research and may be neglected as a in general.1 However, the relative lack of articles on beyond appearances: the factor that can shed light on homeless experiences. male experiences of homelessness could suggest a association Femmes SDF by However, the articles in this edition of Homeless in need for further research in this area, and a need their side Europe demonstrate that homelessness and housing to accept that male homelessness is not necessarily Marie-Claire Vanneuville exclusion can indeed be highly gendered experi- the ‘default position’ but is rather one aspect of a ences and suggest that efforts to end homelessness gendered phenomenon. The articles also suggest 17 Homeless Women in would do well to take gender into account. overwhelmingly that gender-specific provision is a Hungary way to address inequalities in homeless people’s Katalin Szoboszlai The link between gender and homelessness can contact with service providers and can go towards have several interpretations and relate to varying preventing homelessness in the first place. 21 The gendered nature realities: from causes of homelessness which affect of homelessness service disproportionately members of one sex, to the It is important to situate experiences of homeless- interventions: An different housing needs and requirements from ness within the broader context of social welfare, Australian study homeless services of different sexes, to differing and the first article by Bea Chityil of the Depart- Dr. Carole Zufferey responses to homelessness conditioned by a ment for Equality Between Women and Men – part person’s gender, and variation in treatment coming of the European Commission’s Directorate General 24 The gender of housing from service providers depending on the gender of for Employment – does this by describing the status deprivation in Belgium the service user. The distinction between sex and quo of gendered experiences of poverty and existing Nicolas Bernard gender is a helpful one in relation to experiences legislation which attempts to combat inequalities of homelessness: some situations are related to at European level. The articles that follow may go 26 ‘On the Streets’: Sex physical characteristics – differing healthcare needs, some way to explaining the disparities revealed in Workers and Homelessness for example – and others to the way in which inter- this piece. Elaine Batty , Rionach actions can differ according to the gender of the Casey and Kesia Reeve person in question. Talking about ‘gender’ and homelessness shows us 29 Addressing the Problem of that experiences of homelessness carry different The following articles present a range of examples implications depending on whether they are male Women and Homelessness of the ways in which gender can define experi- or female experiences. Ana Martins, Director of Jonathan P. Schwartz, ences of homelessness and housing exclusion in Assistência Médica Internacional (AMI), helpfully Stephanie Chapman, Laura Europe and elsewhere, and explore the state of explores the impact of homeless people’s gender Cote González and Lori D. social welfare systems in relation to gender equality on their homeless pathway, and their self-identifi- Lindley and homelessness. They do not seek to provide a cation, with specific reference to homeless women complete overview but to highlight some relevant in Lisbon. issues which demonstrate the crossover between gender and homelessness. They focus on male Jörg Fichtner further highlights gendered responses and female experiences of homelessness, but it to homelessness with a study of the ways in which Letters TO the EDItor should be remembered that homeless experiences some homeless men in Germany interpret their situ- We would like to give you the may differ across the gender spectrum. Many of ation and suggests that a gender-specific offer could chance to comment on any of the the articles focus on female experiences, which is contribute to providing more suitable and therefore articles which have appeared in this important as female-specific homeless situations are more efficient assistance to homeless people. issue. If you would like to share your ideas, thoughts and feedback, please send an email to the editor, [email protected]. 1 For research on this theme, see for example Women and Homelessness in Europe: Pathways, Services and Experiences, ed. by Bill Edgar and Joe Docherty, (Bristol: The Policy Press, 2001) The articles in Homeless in Europe do not necessarily reflect the views of FEANTSA. Extracts from this publication can be 2 Homeless in Europe quoted as long as the sources are acknowledged. Uta Enders-Dragässer also calls for an approach that be experienced as ‘invisible’ forms of oppression by takes gender into account in her article on homeless service providers and service users. She notes that women’s experiences in Germany. She notes that examining gender and power relations in social hidden homelessness is the ‘typical’ situation for workers’ interventions and perspectives encourages women and women’s specific needs are marginal- reflexivity in social work practice, thereby improving ized in German support and employment systems. the services provided to homeless people. Change is difficult because the debate is gender blind. The article argues that homeless services should take Gender-biased attitudes are also evoked in connec- into consideration that the needs of women living tion with housing rights by Nicolas Bernard’s article in hidden homelessness should be identified much on women’s experiences of housing exclusion in fran- earlier by referral and counselling services. cophone Belgium. We learn that the living situation of women in francophone Belgium is clearly defined Homeless women’s invisibility is also explored by by their gender, and is often related to disempower- Marie-Claire Vanneuville, Director of the organisa- ment and lower standards of living as a result. Gender tion Femmes SDF in France. Here we understand that considerations clearly have their place in debates on the homeless women who have used the services quality of services and housing rights. provided by Femmes SDF have chosen invisibility as a means of defence. However, not only does the The risk of homelessness can be higher for people article describe these women as almost having lost who exercise a highly gendered profession. This is their identity, it also shows how the work of Femmes demonstrated by the increased rate of homelessness SDF can help them to regain their sense of worth and among female sex workers in England, discussed by move towards getting out of their homeless situation. Kesia Reeve, Rionach Casey and Elaine Batty. Their It highlights that, although each woman is different, article highlights that structural constraints on sex allowing each one to ‘be a woman’ is a necessary step workers’ housing options can cause them to become towards improving their lives. homeless and that homelessness can lead women into sex work. They propose that more research be Katalin Szoboszlai, in a shortened version of a longer conducted into the complex interrelation between sex study that analysed interviews with homeless women work and homelessness. in Hungary, presents the ‘homeless journey’ of one woman, trying to document her routes into homeless- Finally, Jonathan P. Schwartz, Stephanie Chapman, ness and her life during and after her homeless experi- Laura Cote and Lori D. Lindley propose a social-rights ence. It is clear that many of the scenarios which affected approach to combating homelessness amongst her ‘journey’ were directly related to her gender. women, suggesting that sexism and other systemic discrimination against women is a cause of their home- The notion of gender can have implications not only lessness and that addressing homelessness among on the identities of homeless people themselves, but women must include working to eradicate attitudes, also the nature of interactions between social workers prejudices, and policies that oppress women. employed in homeless services and service users. Carole Zufferey demonstrates how homeless serv- As always, FEANTSA would like to extend its sincere ices in Australia appear to use differing approaches thanks and gratitude to the contributors to this issue depending on the gender of service users, which can of the magazine. Homeless in Europe 3 Homelessness in Europe: The Role of Gender Equality Policies By Bea Chityil, Policy Officer, Equality between Women and Men, DG Employment, Social Affairs, Equal Opportunities, European Commission Equality between women and men is a funda- Tackling homelessness is a particularly important mental principle of the European Union, yet there domain both in terms of poverty-alleviation and are persistent inequalities between the sexes that gender equality. While studies show that the majority