Ending Homelessness? : The Contrasting Experiences of Denmark, Finland and Ireland

In recent years, across Europe, North America and the Antipodes, a significant number of countries, states and regions have devised strategies that aim to end long-term homelessness and the need to sleep rough. Long considered an intractable or ‘wicked’ social problem, the notion that homelessness could be ended represents a significant sea change in conceptualising and responding to homelessness. A key driver for states, regions and municipalities to devise plans to end homelessness, and an optimism that this policy objective can be achieved, is that there is an increasing research evidence base on what works to end homelessness. This increasingly sophisticated research evidence covers both the prevention of homelessness in the first instance and the support mechanisms that can ensure sustainable exits and stable, secure accommodation for people who have experienced homelessness. This book explores these issues through a detailed comparison of the experiences of Denmark, Finland and Ireland over the past decade. From 2008 to the end of 2018, the numbers living rough and in temporary and emergency accommodation showed a decline of 72 per cent in Finland, while the number of households in emergency accommodation increased by 300 per cent in Ireland; in Denmark, the number of adults in emergency accommodation increased by 12 per cent over the shorter time period of 2009–17. The purpose of this book is to offer explanations for stark variations in these outcomes despite similar starting points. Front Cover Ending Homelessness?: The Contrasting Experiences of Denmark, Finland and Ireland Copyright page Table of contents List of figures and tables Acknowledgments 1 Ending homelessness? Policy and progress in Denmark, Finland and Ireland Introduction Managing homelessness Understanding the dynamics and drivers of homelessness Alternative interpretations of homelessness: ethnographic and longitudinal research Critique of service responses The emergence of Housing First Rethinking homelessness services: research and practice Ending homelessness: policy and progress in Denmark, Finland and Ireland Notes 2 Before the goal of ‘ending homelessness’: the evolution of policy Introduction The 20th century Denmark Finland Ireland Conclusion Notes 3 The strategies described Introduction The initial strategies The Danish homelessness strategy The Finnish Paavo I strategy The Irish strategy: The Way Home Management of the strategies The second phase: 2012–15 Denmark Finland Ireland The third phase: 2016–18 Denmark Finland Ireland Reviewing Rebuilding Ireland Shelters, hubs and managing homelessness Conclusion Notes 4 Trends in homelessness in Denmark, Finland and Ireland Introduction Measuring homelessness and trends in Denmark, 2009–19 Shelter data collected since 1999 Homelessness counts every second year since 2007 Measuring homelessness and trends in Finland, 2008–18 Measuring homelessness and trends in Ireland, 2008–18 Quarterly performance reports Exits from homelessness Monthly reports Limitations of the monthly reports Quarterly financial reports Conclusion and comparison Notes 5 Explanations: housing matters Introduction The role of Housing First Housing First in Finland Finnish Housing First and public housing Scale Criticisms of Finnish Housing First Housing First in Denmark Intensity of support Public housing Systemic integration Scale Housing First in Ireland Public housing Scale Systemic integration The broader role of affordable and social housing Social and affordable housing in Finland Social and affordable housing in Denmark Social and affordable housing in Ireland Social housing allocations The role of private rented housing in Ireland Protecting tenancies Preventing homelessness Providing tenancies Rent Pressure Zones Conclusion Notes 6 Explanations: welfare and politics matter Introduction The welfare state and homelessness in Denmark The welfare state and homelessness in Finland The welfare state and homelessness in Ireland Political and administrative decision-making structures Denmark Finland Ireland Conclusion 7 Conclusion Introduction The global financial crisis Was the money made available? The role (and meaning of) Housing First Welfare policy The importance of a stable policy context The importance of housing policy Summary Notes References Index Back Cover Homelessness is on the increase in most European states and remains at stubbornly high levels across developed nations. This is despite increased policy attention, economic provision and the implementation of strategies that have promised to stop homelessness in its tracks, rather than simply manage the crisis. Providing an in-depth exploration of the experiences of Ireland, Denmark and Finland in their various initiatives designed to end homelessness, this book presents an authoritative comparative account of policies and strategies that have worked, along with an exposition of those that have not. Making an invaluable and timely contribution to the current debate, it provides essential policy lessons for the multiple jurisdictions seeking to successfully bring homelessness to an end.|Homelessness is on the increase in most European states and remains at stubbornly high levels across developed nations. This is despite increased policy attention, economic provision and the implementation of strategies that have promised to stop homelessness in its tracks, rather than simply manage the crisis. Providing an in-depth exploration of the experiences of Ireland, Denmark and Finland in their various initiatives designed to end homelessness, this book presents an authoritative comparative account of policies and strategies that have worked, along with an exposition of those that have not. Making an invaluable and timely contribution to the current debate, it provides essential policy lessons for the multiple jurisdictions seeking to successfully bring homelessness to an end.

Homelessness is on the increase in most European states and remains at stubbornly high levels across developed nations. This is despite increased policy attention, economic provision and the implementation of strategies that have promised to stop homelessness in its tracks, rather than simply manage the crisis. Providing an in-depth exploration of the experiences of Ireland, Denmark and Finland in their various initiatives designed to end homelessness, this book presents an authoritative comparative account of policies and strategies that have worked, along with an exposition of those that have not. Making an invaluable and timely contribution to the current debate, it provides essential policy lessons for the multiple jurisdictions seeking to successfully bring homelessness to an end.