Overview of the European Homelessness System by Freek Spinnewijn of FEANTSA

1. CONTRIBUTION FEANTSA Freek Spinnewijn International seminar on Homelessness Washington – 15 - 17 March 2011

2. European NGO Exclusive focus on homelessness Members are national/regional networks of services for the homeless Members in all EU member states exc. Cyprus 75% of the organized voluntary homelessness sector Large diversity Enlargement of the EU Activities Lobbying EU, Council of Europe, UNECE, OECD & Member States Research European Journal on homelessness 2X Annual conference 16 Sept 2011 – Pisa Mutual learning 2011 - Quality of homelessness services Communications www.feantsa.org Funding EU (& members) FEANTSA

3. Up till 2009 “Shouting for attention” No real interest of the EU … Since 2010 Moving towards Ideal policy context for important progress on homelessness Council of Ministers All member states should develop integrated homelessness strategies European Parliament EU should develop homeless strategy to support member states to End street homelessness Nobody longer in emergency accommodation then his/her situation is emergency Nobody longer in transitional accommodation then required for successful reintegration Nobody homeless after leaving institution No youngster homeless in transition to independent life Committee of the Regions EU should develop homelessness strategy and promote role of local and regional authorities Economic and Social Committee EU needs homeless strategy and mobilise Structural Funds?! (Autumn 2011) European Commission Homelessness should be priority for future EU context

4. European Platform against poverty EU framework for anti-poverty policies during next 10 years EU priorities Direct relevance for homelessness EU will follow up the outcome of the European Consensus Conference on Homelessness 2010 EU will develop voluntary quality framework for homeless services EU will bring together on regular basis different stakeholders in fight against homelessness EU will mobilise member states to use housing facility of the ERDF Indirect relevance to homelessness EU will promote social innovation Possibly also in the area of housing EU will promote social economy EU Context (2)

5. Consensual basis precondition for progress on homelessness at EU level Diversity of position on homelessness huge Demand from European Commission Consensus conferencing methodology PrepCom & 6 questions & Jury Outcome Wide definition of homelessness ETHOS typology Ending homelessness is possible New paradigm for policy making Housing-led approaches to homelessness more effective Supported housing as the solution to homelessness Homelessness sector should not be responsibilised for failing migration policy Participation of homeless people in policy making desirable but lack of effective methods EU homelessness strategy necessary EU Steering group Report & Research report on FEANTSA homepage www.feantsa.org Consensus Conference

6. Policy Increasing nr of homelessness strategies National/regional and/or local Increasing interest in Housing First More cost-effective than StraircaseModel which remains dominant model Profile Age More young and old Feminisation Single mothers Impact of migration !! Intra and extra EU Working homeless Housing/economic crisis Services More holistic approach to homelessness More centered on users’ needs Increasing professionalization Huge impact of the crisis on financial resources Some recent trends in homelessness

7. Goal: ending long-term homelessness Housing-First Closing shelters by 2015 Much investment in Retraining hostel staff / social work Supported housing Strong cooperation national – local levels Focus on prevention But mainly housing Social housing for homeless people! Consensus BUT Long tradition Small homeless population < 10000 Limited impact of migration Important financial means Homelessness in EU Finland

8. No measurable objective but ambition to change/strengthen policy intervention Growing costs of shelter system – > 2 billion€ / year Basis: Justiciable right to housing Housing-led approach to homelessness Important principle: unconditional access to shelter Also for undocumented migrants Emphasis on improving quality of homeless services More fluidity in the homeless system Very strong position of NGO sector As advocates AND as service providers No consensus!! Social economy Homelessness in EU France

9. Objective: all homeless have individually-tailored integration plan Focus on 4 big cities State budget allocations Interesting dynamic between small and big cities Very strict interpretation of local connection Homeless people disappear Strong evidence-base Data collection and research Abundant social housing 40% of housing stock Excellent cooperation shelter system – social housing Important political and financial State support Focus on nuisance reduction… Homeless in EU The Netherlands

10. Non-issue for policy makers No national/regional strategy Little data & research Traditional approach to homelessness Hostel as the main solution Dynamic at local level Creative Role of railway company… Very strong role of the Church Caritas Huge impact of migration Strong focus on integration/involvement of community Positive impact of EU cooperation Homeless in the European Union Italy

11. Very big problem No numbers Huge impact of migration No policy issue No funding Only entry is health funding No strategy Too few and inadequate hostel spaces NGO sector powerless Crisis made situation worse Social economy as a instrument for services to generate funding Homelessness in the EU Greece

12. Mixed developments Strategy being prepared Strong focus on quality of services Hostel as the central means of intervention Strong influence of the Church Too many saints Relatively big social housing stock Difficult access for homeless people Importance of work Strong work ethic Little funding available Highly dependent on EU funding Homeless in EuPoland

13. Role of social housing sector How to facilitate / sustain access to social housing for homeless Supported housing More variety of supported housing solutions required Migration Intra and extra European Data collection How to develop data collection system that serves policy making and service development Cost-effectiveness Better understanding of what is cost-effectiveness in homelessness Social work New trends in social work – especially in housing-led approaches to homelessness Specific groups Ex-prisoners, people leaving psychiatry… … Some issues of COMMON concern for EU

14. Thank you for listening