We need a common European strategy
13-04-2010

By: Marie Skjelbo Justesen and Ninna Hoegh

In Denmark we have already stated that in the period from 2009 until 2012 we have to make  an active effort to obtain a considerable reduction in the number of homeless people:

In order to distribute 500  million kroner among eight municipalities the state has called on these municipalities to work hard to reduce the number of homeless people in their areas, focusing especially on the local problems.

But shouldn’t we also open our eyes to see what is going on in other EU – countries?

It is obvious that the strategies that are practised against the homelessness in the EU-countries are not good enough everywhere, and as the legislation is founded upon the principle of self-determination of course the national strategies and plans will count.

But what we have done in Denmark and the experiences we have had working with these problems might be useful to other countries although we should not overlook the important knowledge of the problems of homeless people that exist in the other EU-countries as well as the different ways of combating this problem .

On the fourteenth of April 2010  The project Outside and the organisation SAND will open the campaign and the exhibition “Stop homelessness“  in the European Parliament.

An important part of the campaign will be the presentation of a hearing focusing exactly on the question how the EU – countries can cooperate about organizing the combat against the homeless-problem.

This hearing will be organized in cooperation with FEANTSA, the European  umbrella organisation for the organisations fighting  homelessness.

Mrs Britta Thomsen, Danish social-democratic member of the European Parliament is one of the persons in charge of this hearing. Mrs Britta Thomsen agrees that it is necessary to find a common european strategy. A strategy which could  establish concrete and constructive methods by means of which homelessness in Europe can be fought in a uniform and well structured way.

In The Project Outside we think that finding and agreeing upon a common definition of homelessness in the EU would be a  step in the good direction. To day some countries  already count the number of homeless people, but it is necessary that all countries count their homeless people in the same way  so that it will be possible to compare the problem in all the countries. The ETHOS- definition,  worked out by the FEANTSA might be a usable method.

Of course this would be only a first step on the road and we do hope that the hearing and a discussion of an eventual common strategy will focus upon the great number of complex problems which  at the moment dominate the question of homelessness  in all European countries. By creating common indicators of homelessness in Europe we shall also create a breeding ground for a structured effort. From these common European indicators common guidelines will arise assuring that the best effort will be done in every country and on the same conditions.

Especially the foreign homeless people and their rights are very often neglected in European countries today. If we all aim at the abolition of homelessness or at least a considerable reduction we also have to take care of the foreigners. In the long run we must try to make sure  that all European countries are able to help homeless people from other members of the EU in the same way as they help their own citizens.

No doubt that the Danish national effort has already made a great difference so why shouldn’t the Danish initiatives inspire other European countries? The campaign STOP HOMELESSNESS! is meant to be an invitation to understand the many different causes of homelessness so why not speak out so loudly that European politicians will listen?