Recent report explores connections between homelessness strategies and anti-poverty policies

A recent report by the European Social Policy Analysis Network (ESPAN) explores the fight against homelessness across the EU and its connection to broader anti-poverty policies.

It aims to guide EU countries in developing effective strategies and addressing investment gaps to eradicate homelessness. Its purpose is to improve policy guidance to EU countries on effective strategies and investment gaps, to support their efforts in eradicating homelessness in their territories.

Drawing on the national reports prepared by the ESPAN country teams, the study examines:

• the scope of the definitions of homelessness across EU countries, using the ETHOS Light typology;
• the current situation regarding homelessness and housing challenges in the various countries, based on available data and evidence;
• the national strategic frameworks to combat homelessness as well as homelessness-related measures included in anti-poverty strategies and policies, or in other selected key social policy areas (including minimum income/ social assistance, access to healthcare services and access to social services); and
• governance arrangements as well as recent or planned reforms related to strategies and policies against poverty and homelessness.

It concludes with recommendations for improving integration and complementarity between homelessness and anti-poverty policies, with calls for actions suggested at both national and EU levels.

Key findings

• Progress has been made in setting up and harmonising homelessness definitions across the EU.
• Data on homelessness vary widely between countries in terms of definitions, sources and timelines.
• 19 EU countries have specific strategic approaches to tackling homelessness, and 13 have both a specific (national and/or subnational) strategic approach to homelessness and one or more (national and/or regional) anti-poverty strategies.
• 17 EU countries have specific (national and/or regional) anti-poverty strategies which include objectives and priorities aimed at helping to combat homelessness.
• Most of the 17 anti-poverty strategies analysed:
  • include policies/measures aimed at strengthening the role of social services, and at ensuring access to affordable and/or social housing and to (adequate) housing;
  • highlight the importance of promoting policies on access to healthcare services and of ensuring adequate income, notably by improving access to social protection;
  • include housing-led policies or Housing First programmes, preventing or tackling evictions, addressing debt prevention, promoting targeted early interventions, and combating discrimination;
  • are at least partly aligned with the goals set in the Lisbon Declaration on the European Platform on Combatting Homelessness, signed by all 27 Member States in June 2021.
• The objectives and priorities included in these 17 anti-poverty strategies (or in broader welfare state policies, in those countries with a more universal, less strategy-based approach) are not usually specific to those experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness; they aim to prevent social exclusion in general.

Challenges and opportunities

While in most countries there are clear elements that enhance synergies between homelessness and anti-poverty policies, challenges remain. These include housing shortages, regional disparities, and budgetary or implementation issues. Recent reforms in several EU countries have strengthened efforts to address homelessness, with ongoing changes expected to further improve outcomes.

Background

Homelessness is the most severe form of poverty and social exclusion, harming physical and mental health, well-being, and life expectancy. It also creates barriers to employment and access to essential services.

Fighting homelessness is not only a moral obligation but also a cost-effective approach. Preventing and tackling homelessness in its initial stages reduces the financial burden on public budgets: providing secure housing to homeless people is generally cheaper than emergency or temporary support, as homelessness has a significant public cost in terms of health assistance, emergency support and complex interventions.