The fight against homelessness and its links with anti-poverty policies across the European Union

This report, prepared by the European Social Policy Analysis Network (ESPAN), provides a comparative overview of the situation regarding the fight against homelessness and its links with broader anti-poverty policies across the European Union, with a view to improving policy guidance to Member States on effective strategies and investment gaps, to support their efforts in eradicating homelessness in their territories.

Drawing on the national reports prepared by the ESPAN country teams, it examines the scope of the current definitions of homelessness in the Member States, with reference to the ETHOS Light typology, and summarises the current situation regarding homelessness and housing difficulties in the various countries. It also analyses the existing national strategic frameworks for tackling homelessness, as well as homelessness-related measures included in anti-poverty strategies and policies, or in other selected key social policy areas (such as minimum income/social assistance, healthcare services or social services). In addition, the report considers governance arrangements with regard to the implementation of strategies and policies against poverty and homelessness, as well as any recent or planned reforms in these areas.

On this basis, the study discusses the degree of integration and complementarity between homelessness and anti-poverty strategies/policies in the Member States, concluding with a set of recommendations for improving the links between them, to be addressed at either national or EU level.