Facing the Challenge of Confronting Homelessness in a National Economic Crisis. A Pilot Prevention Policy Model

KLIMAKA
For the development
of human and social capital

Facing the challenge of confronting homelessness
in a national economic crisis
A pilot prevention policy model
Theodorikakou O., Alamanou A., Katsadoros K.
KLIMAKA NGO, Greece

European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN THE
ENHR
NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT

Homelessness in Greece

UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT

Rough estimates on the number of homeless range around
17.000 – 20.000 persons.
But:
 there are no quantitative and qualitative data of the
homeless population
 there is no opportunity to quantify economic resources
addressed to the homeless population



In addition, the paucity of official statistical data results to the obstruction of the implementation of
serious actions and initiatives in order to eliminate the problem. This fact also precludes the appreciation
of the problem’s real dimensions and prolongs the ignorance regarding its increased rate, while it
inhibits any attempt of planning comprehensive actions.


The current financial situation in Greece

832.975 households

2.186.869 persons

The current financial situation in Greece

Unemployment
Percentages
January 2005
-April 2010


The current financial (& social) situation in
Greece
Population at poverty risk consists of:
 Households with children under the age of 16 and at least one
working member (52%)
 Unemployed men (39%)
 Households with one adult above 65 years old (31%)
 Single parent households with at least one child (27%)
 Single women households (27%)
 Young adults (16-24 years old)(24%)


The current financial (& social) situation in
Greece
Population at poverty consists of:
 Households’ members with low educational level (67%)
 Unemployed (64%)
 Households with children (52%)
 Employed persons (36%)
 Households with children and at least one working member (34%)


The financial (& social) situation in Greece


The Greek social policy
In the National Strategic Reference Framework 2007-2013 of the Ministry of Finance, the Greek State has
acknowledged that “The system (that is, the social solidarity system) is characterized by
institutional shortcomings and insufficiencies at the operational level. The main
insufficiency is the effectual integration of vulnerable population groups through
active policies as well as the limited functionality of prevention and open care
programs according to the adverse demographic developments”.
But:
The Greek Constitution provides clauses for the protection of the right to housing. More specifically,
article 21 par. 4 stipulates: “The acquisition of dwelling for those that deprive it or
whose house is inadequate constitutes a matter of specific care by the State”. Lack of
housing results also to the exclusion of other fundamental rights, such as employment (article 22
par.1) and education (article 16 par.2), e.t.c.

Social policy in a national economic crisis
or
the Social Policy Reactions to the Crisis

OR


If a homeless was given just a subsidy of
300€ would s/he exit homelessness?

Is a homeless able to adopt to a daily job?

Does a homeless need only a house?


Towards an integrated holistic prevention
model
 The challenge consists of the quest of policy models
sufficient to address the impacts of the crisis to the
citizens’ housing.

 At the same time these policy models have to be
harmonized with the lack of economic resources.


model
 Although the study of the cost – benefit relation is not yet feasible, all
indications suggest that the maintenance of the phenomenon, costs to
the state more than homeless’ restitution and prevention of
homelessness together.

 Effective preventative schemes offer the potentialto deliver not just a
better quality of life for people at risk of homelessness, but also real
cost benefits for general tax payers.


model
Furthermore, and given the economic downturn and the slowing of national
resources spent on welfare and social policy, we should take account of
certain restrictions in order to avoid exhaustion of system resources, but
to channel it in harmony to create quality both services in line with
European strategies and priorities for tackling homelessness and in
coherence with national guidelines. The actions and procedures will also
be complementary rather than overlapping and conflicting with recognized
and unambiguous objectives and responsibilities.


model
 The “priority need” test
 Analysis of homelessness data in local level

 Development of specialist skills in organizational and
authoritative level
 Adaptation of a best value approach

 Establishment of clear service standards, performance
indicators and targets


model
 Design and implementation of a monitoring system
 Target at the additional indirect costs of homelessness
(criminality, harvest economy etc)
 Fair Housing

 Legal housing mediation as a fundamental right

 Specific homeless populations addressed via specified
prevention strategies


model
 Primary prevention strategies:
Prevent new cases of homelessness and stop people from ever becoming homeless
 Secondary prevention strategies:
Focus on intervening early during a first spell of homelessness to help the person leave
homelessness and not return
 Tertiary prevention strategies:
Seek to end long-term homelessness, thus preventing continued homelessness
Martha R. Burt, Urban Institute, Carol Pearson, Walter R. McDonald & Assoc.,


model
A primary intervention model
The model of the Mobile Mental Health Unit in Cyclades


model
A tertiary intervention model
The model of the Klimax Plus Social Corporation


Designing policies to eradicate the phenomenon of homelessness, and
not its temporary relief is nowadays more crucial than ever.

Prevention policies are not only more effective but also less
expensive. In this context, we hope to integrate in our thinking
the long-term design and implementation of prevention policies
instead of choosing political solutions for temporary relief and
exemption from other obligations.

Thank you for your attention


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