Local Connection Rules and Access to Homelessness Services in Europe
Comparative Studies on Homelessness 5
About the Research
The aim of this study was to explore the impact of local connection rules on the experience of homelessness in Europe. The research looked specifically at whether local connection rules, which exist to ensure that only people who are resident in a particular municipality or region can access services provided by local government, restrict the support available to homeless people. The particular concern was EU citizens experiencing homelessness in their own countries who faced barriers to services.
This comparative exercise was based on a questionnaire sent to experts in homelessness in 14 EU Member States. The use of a standardised questionnaire allowed for direct comparisons to be made across a diverse range of Member States.
The Member States from the North Western EU that participated in the research were Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and the UK countries. Countries from the Central and Eastern EU included Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. The Southern EU was represented by Greece, Italy and Portugal.
The report explores how local connection rules influence access to emergency shelters; congregate and communal supported housing (accommodation-based services including hostels and staircase services); housing-led services (mobile support delivered to ordinary housing); access to social housing and access to rent subsidies (welfare payments that wholly or partially meet rental costs for low income people).