July/August 2019
Welcome back to the FEANTSA Flash! We hope the summer has left you refreshed and ready to pick up where you left off in the fight against homelessness and housing exclusion.
Remember we are always happy to hear tips from you as to what should go into the next edition of the Flash. Let us know by clicking the button below.
Read ahead:
- FEANTSA Events: What's coming up next?
- FEANTSA News: What's new at FEANTSA? Anything you missed?
- FEANTSA Publications: Latest reports and publications on all things homelessness
- Member News: With over 100 members fighting tirelessly against homelessness in almost 30 countries, you know that there is always something going on
- Headlines: Homelessness in the media
- Employment: Recruitment and job offers in the sector
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Start on new project: Harm Reduction For Homelessness
HR4Homelessness responds to the current urgent need to improve Harm Reduction (HR) services for homeless people. The partners, HR and homeless experts and service providers from 6 European countries will jointly develop the ‘Harm Reduction Key Principles for Homeless Services’ which will be made freely available. Frontline staff will receive training on the HR Key Principles during a dedicated 3-day training. Furthermore, the project involves several analytical activities: a European-wide survey on HR service provision among homeless services, the analysis of the current HR service provision for people in homelessness in the partner countries, including a comparative European synthesis.
The 2-year-project is funded by Erasmus+ and coordinated by FEANTSA. Partners are Rainbow Group / Correlation Network (NL), Rights Reporter Foundation (HU), Health Team City of Copenhagen, Norte Vida (PL), Simon Communities Cork. Detailed information will soon be available in the FEANTSA project section.
Brighton Could Be the First UK City to Pass a 'Homeless Bill of Rights'
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After receiving cross-party support at Brighton Hove City Council, the adoption of the Homeless Bill Of Rights, a set of principles originally drawn up by FEANTSA in partnership with Housing Rights Watch, will be decided on 18th of September. The bill is a way for cities to reaffirm their commitment to basic human rights, against the backdrop of rising criminalisation of homelessness in Europe. "[I]t sends a clear message to the general public, local policymakers and other local stakeholders that there are other ways to address homelessness", says Maria José Aldanas, our very own legal officer. Find out how you can sign up your city at Housing Rights Watch's dedicated page. |
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Report: The "Working Poor" and EU free movement now available in French
There is evidence to suggest a general trend towards a narrow interpretation of the notion of “worker”, which clearly targets mobile EU citizens with precarious working conditions who are also more vulnerable to homelessness. As a consequence, this approach jeopardises destitute mobile EU citizens’ chances of accessing welfare benefits and finding a way out of destitution.
Based on contributions by Anthony Valcke (EU Rights Clinic), Matthew Evans (the AIRE Centre) and Stamatia Devetzi (University of Applied Sciences Fulda),this new report provides an overview on the application of the notion of "worker" to mobile EU citizens engaged in low-wage and low-hour employment. The report is now available in both English and French.
Paper: 2019 Semester – Homelessness and Housing Exclusion on the European Commission’s Radar
The European Semester is the annual cycle of economic and social policy coordination in the EU. This paper reviews the 2019 Semester from the perspective of FEANTSA, as the only European organisation working exclusively on homelessness and housing exclusion. It looks at the country reports and Country Specific Recommendations to assess how well homelessness and housing exclusion are tackled. In this context FEANTSA identifies ‘Seven Takeaways’ for 2019. Read the full paper.
Branding vs Reality: Is "inclusive growth" the right response to the housing exclusion scandal in Europe?
‘What is meant by “inclusive growth” when another Europe, whose ranks have swelled to an unprecedented size in recent years, is left on the margins of our societies, deprived of a home, a dwelling, or even a shelter?... What does “inclusive growth” mean when more than one homeless person dies every day on the streets in France, on average 30 years younger than the general population, and when this pernicious number has increased by 24% between 2013 and 2017 in the United Kingdom?’
In this paper for the The Forum Network, FEANTSA’s Policy Officer, Chloé Serme-Morin, reiterates some important questions raised in the 4th Overview of Housing Exclusion in Europe by FEANTSA & Fondation Abbé Pierre, and considers European aspirations to “inclusive growth” in the light of rising homelessness. Read the full paper here.
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Europe: FEANTSA extends membership to eight new organisations
FEANTSA welcomes: Neunerhaus (AT), Fédération Bico (BE), La Cloche (FR), Solidarity Now (GR), Respond (IE), Fundación Cepaim (ES), House of Mercy (UA), NACCOM (UK). We look forward to working together to tackle European homelessness.
UK: Praxis' housing service for destitute migrants wins Homeless Link national award for innovation
On 2 July Praxis housing project won an award for the innovative and effective way it supports migrant families and women at risk of homelessness and destitution. The project – run in collaboration with Commonweal Housing – was recognised by Homeless Link for its dedication to supporting people who have traditionally been seen as ‘difficult to house’. Read more on Praxis’ site.
Germany: BAG Wohnungslosenhilfe’s bundestagung (nationwide conference) to take place 11 to 13 November 2019
BAG Wohnungslosenhilfe’s nationwide conference, entitled ‘Everything about living and not living - for a national strategy to overcome housing shortages and homelessness,’ will take place in Berlin. The conference is expected to bring together 800 participants from social work, associations, science, administration, politics, stakeholders and volunteer initiatives. Register via their website.
UK: Crisis release campaign report Cover the Cost: restoring Local Housing Allowance rates to prevent homelessness
Crisis' report reflects on findings which show that investing in Local Housing Allowance rates so that they cover the cheapest third of private rents (the 30th percentile) will prevent more than 6,000 households from becoming homeless over three years, and lift 32,000 households out of poverty, including 35,000 children. It is the second in a series of reports which underline their Cover the Cost Campaign, which is aimed at securing investment into Local Housing Allowance rates (commonly known as Housing Benefit). Read the full report and find out more about the campaign.
Denmark: Project Udenfor wins the Faellesskabsprisen community prize
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Congratulations to Projekt Udenfor for winning the 2019 Fællesskabsprisen prize. The prize celebrates those entities who make an extraordinary difference to the community. Projekt Udenfor were awarded the prize for their 'Byg UDENFOR' (Build OUTSIDE) project, which aims to enable homeless people to contribute to the building of small, movable, temporary and energy-efficient houses.
UK: Youth Homelessness Scoping Report 2019
Homeless Link have published a crucial report on Youth Homelessness, exploring why young people experience homelessness and how this experience impacts them. Among other things the report highlighted how young people’s pathways into, and experiences of, homelessness are complex and differ to adults, and must be treated accordingly. Read the full Youth Homelessness Scoping Report or take a look at their highlights of the key themes.
Spain: Arrels Fundació Provide Mailbox Service
Lack of an effective postal address can be a major obstacle to a person experiencing homelessness, denying them rights in the labour market and access to public services. Our member Arrels Fundació offers a practical solution and upholds an important right by providing a mailbox for people experiencing homelessness.
UK: Out On The Streets - LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness in Wales
LGBTQ+ young people are four times more likely to become homeless than their peers. In August, Llamau published their report, Out On The Streets - LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness in Wales, which reflects on the experience of young LGBTQ+ homeless people in Wales and highlights the additional factors they experience because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Read the full report or the summary report.
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“‘We will stay until they hear us’: Homeless people camped three and a half months in the Paseo del Prado (Madrid)”
Spain, 4th August – As numbers of homeless people rise in Madrid (to 2,772) and across Spain (to 40,000) the 80 people camped in protest between the Prado Museum and the Ministry of Health for over three months continue to demand decent housing for the homeless, especially for the most vulnerable families. Full report by infoLibre.
“A Swedish city demands the payment of a license to beg”
Ekilstuna, 6th August – Ekilstuna becomes a disgraceful "pioneer" as the first town in Sweden to introduce a 3-month renewable begging permit, costing 23€. Presented as an alternative to criminalising homelessness, the "permit" does exactly that while depriving homeless people of survival practices. El Pais reports.
“Homeless person dying every 19 hours in UK, figures show”
UK, 16th August – Not even a month after reporting that people sleeping rough in the UK were being denied access to healthcare, the Independent reported on data which found that 235 people affected by homelessness have died over the last six months, a rise since the previous year. Read the article in full.
“Rent too high, then homeless”
Germany, July 30th – As a result of the housing crisis the numbers of homeless people in Germany continues to rise. It is a cross-class issue. A study by BAG W announces an increase of 15-20% of homeless people in just one year between 2016 and 2017. More than half are estimated to be asylum seekers. Zeit reports.
“Radical cuts in the housing market: The first draft of the Berlin Mietendeckels [rent cap]”
Germany, August 26th – An interesting counterpoint to the previous headline, Berlin’s Senate Department for Urban Development and Housing have drawn up a radical draft proposal to control rents in Berlin that includes a five-year rent freeze. The draft also proposes to take into account landlords’ “legitimate interest” versus public interest in the preservation of adequate housing. Der Tagesspeigel reports.
"Down and out in Paris, London and the rest of Europe”: FEANTSA Director Freek Spinnewijn talks to Politico
The pan-European homelessness crisis, Finland’s success in tackling homelessness, and the potential for transnational learning: FEANTSA’s Director Freek Spinnewijn speaks to Politico about rising homelessness in Europe. Read the full inteview.
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Praxis are seeking a Finance Assistant
Praxis are seeking a Finance Assistant to provide financial, administrative and reporting support to help the organisation to deliver its objectives. The job is based at their head office in London. Please refer to the offer for more information.
Genio is recruiting a Service Reform Researcher – Drug and Alcohol Task Forces
Genio, based in Dublin, Ireland, seeks the right candidate for a dynamic new role which will focus on informing the implementation of a set of strategic initiatives across the Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (DATFs) which are being supported by the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive. Find out more.
EMMAUS Solidarités is seeking a Communications and Sponsorship Assistant (French-speaking)
Emmaus-Solidarités is recruiting as soon as possible for a permanent position in communications and sponsorship. Find out more here.
Caritas Europa are looking for a full-time Finance and Administration Assistant
Caritas Europa are looking for a full-time Finance and Administration Assistant to join their team in Brussels. The successful candidate would ideally start at the beginning of October. The job offer can be consulted here.
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