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A new report from Feantsa, the European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless, highlights a grave issue - almost 900,000 people across Europe are homeless on any given night. This figure, according to the report, underscores the failure of European countries to recognize housing as a fundamental right. The estimate of 895,000 homeless individuals is equivalent to the population of cities like Marseille or Turin. The data was gathered from EU countries and the UK, encompassing six categories that define homelessness, including those sleeping rough, people in emergency accommodations, and homeless individuals temporarily living with family and friends.
Freek Spinnewijn, the director of Feantsa, criticized most European governments for failing homeless individuals, causing frustration among the general public and inefficient resource allocation to address the issue. While all EU member states committed to combating homelessness by 2030, the report indicates that the problem is worsening, with only Finland and Denmark making significant progress.
Denmark serves as a potential model for others, as it achieved a 10% reduction in homelessness between 2019 and 2022. This success can be attributed to a "housing first" strategy, emphasizing providing housing over managing homelessness in the shelter system. Denmark also improved capacity at accommodation centres and implemented prevention policies targeting individuals under 24 in major cities.
In Germany, official census data identified 262,645 homeless people, while Spain recorded over 28,500 homeless individuals in the same year. Ireland faces a housing crisis, with 11,632 people in emergency accommodation by the end of 2022, marking a 40% increase in two years. The report's recommendations call on Ireland to address its dysfunctional housing market and on Germany to ensure that its upcoming national homeless strategy is well-funded and aimed at ending homelessness.
The report also examines the issue of poor-quality housing. It reveals that significant numbers of people in the UK, France, Bulgaria, and Hungary live in substandard homes that are unfit for habitation. Across the EU, there's a call for increased awareness of the number of people residing in dilapidated properties suffering from issues like dampness, overcrowding, inadequate sanitation, and fire risks.
This report serves as a stark reminder of the homelessness crisis that persists in Europe despite pledges from governments to address it. It emphasizes the need for a paradigm shift in how homelessness is managed, with a focus on providing housing as a fundamental solution. Additionally, it underscores the importance of improving housing conditions and eliminating substandard living conditions to ensure the dignity and well-being of all individuals.
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