Brussels, 08/02/2011 (Agence Europe) - The report on the European Consensus Conference on Homelessness, held on 9-10 December of last year, was presented by Belgian Minister of State and Chairman of the Jury Frank Vandenbroucke to HRH Princess Astrid of Belgium, Commissioner László Andor (Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion) and Belgian Secretary of State for Inclusion Philippe Courard in Brussels on Tuesday 8 February. The report highlights the importance of having the homeless participate in service provision and policy-making, and underlines the need for a European strategy to tackle homelessness. The report brings together a raft of policy recommendations which seek to provide a strong basis from which to make continued and enhanced progress on the issue of homelessness within the European Union, particularly within the framework of the new EUROPE 2020 strategy and the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion (see EUROPE 10279 and 10280).
The report contains responses and recommendations from the jury to six questions on homelessness, presented as follows by Vandenbroucke:
(1) “What does homelessness mean?” Homelessness is not confined to people sleeping rough on the streets. It is a “complex, dynamic and differentiated process with different routes and exits, or 'pathways', for different individuals and groups”. A more comprehensive approach to homelessness is recommended. (2) “Ending homelessness: a realistic objective?” Homelessness is a serious injustice and a violation of fundamental human rights that can and should be ended. The jury concludes that ongoing prevention and intervention measures in the context of national/regional integrated homelessness strategies can both prevent people from falling into and becoming locked in homelessness; (3) “Are 'housing-led' policy approaches the most effective methods for preventing and tackling homelessness?” The jury calls for a shift from using shelters and transitional accommodation as the predominant solution to homelessness towards “housing-led” approaches. This means increasing access to permanent housing and increasing the capacity for both prevention and the provision of adequate floating support to people in their homes according to their needs; (4) “How can meaningful participation of homeless people in the development of homelessness policies be assured?” The jury calls for homeless people to be empowered to participate in decision-making that affects their lives. It also highlights some important barriers to facilitating full participation of homeless people in policy-making processes and makes suggestions as to how these barriers should be managed; (5) “To what extent should people be able to access homeless services irrespective of their legal status and citizenship?” This question addresses the accessibility of homelessness services, specifically for migrants and non-EU citizens who may face barriers due to legal or administrative status. The jury concludes that there is a need for an EU-wide study to be conducted into the relationships between homelessness and migration and also within the context of freedom of movement in the EU. This study should pay due attention to the gender-specific nature of migration experiences and the special situation of some female migrants; (6) “What should be the elements of an EU homelessness strategy?” The jury says there is a need for an ambitious EU homelessness strategy to frame the development of national/regional strategies in member states and enhance progress in tackling homelessness. Both the overarching EU framework and the national/regional strategies must adopt an integrated approach, bringing together all the relevant fields, such as housing, social affairs, health and employment.
Philippe Courard, for whom “it is impossible to make policy on poverty and homelessness without involving and listening to the people concerned”, was pleased with the section on “participation”. This section says that involving the homeless in both service provision and policy-making is essential. “This bears out that what we have been doing for years in the federal authorities is essential and important for the quality of the services and the policy, on the one hand, and for the development of those concerned”, he said. Giving his backing to the other points of the consensus, Courard stressed that “homelessness is not just living rough. Those who live in unfit and ill-adapted accommodation must also be included among the homeless”. He said that he was sure that as part of the EU 2020 strategy and the European Platform against Poverty, “the consensus will become the reference document for European homelessness policy”. (G.B./transl.rt)