Increasing youth homelessness in strong welfare regimes explained: the case of Denmark
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The document discusses the rising youth homelessness in Denmark, highlighting significant increases in the 18-24 age group from 2009 to 2013 due to factors like high youth unemployment and insufficient affordable housing. It emphasizes the necessity of investing in young people and utilizing housing first models to address their challenges, alongside providing better access to support services. The findings advocate for systemic changes to prevent a lost generation and improve living conditions for vulnerable youth.
Increasing youth homelessness in strong welfare regimes explained: the case of Denmark
- 1. Increasing youth homelessness in strong welfare regimes explained The case of Denmark Lars Benjaminsen Investing in young people to prevent a lost generation in Europe: key policy and practice in addressing youth homelessness 8th November 2013, Prague, Czech Republic
- 2. Strong increase in youth homelessness (National Homelessness Count) Homeless people in each age group Week 6, 2009 Week 6, 2011 Week 6, 2013 Percent change 2009-13 0-17 years old 200 204 144 -28 18-24 years old 633 1,002 1,138 +80 25-29 years old 490 596 617 +26 All under 30 years old 1,323 1,802 1,899 +43 Total, all age groups 4,998 5,290 5,820 +16 Investing in young people to prevent a lost generation in Europe: key policy and practice in addressing youth homelessness 8th November 2013, Prague, Czech Republic
- 3. Homelessness situation, 18-24 year olds, week 6, 2013 Homelessness situation Percent Street/Rough sleeping 6 Emergency night shelter 1 Homeless shelter 22 Hotel 1 Family/friends 50 Short term transitional 2 Institutional release 5 Other 14 Total 100 (n=1,138)
- 4. Profiles, 2013 (National Homelessness Count) Percentage with 18-24 year olds All age groups, 18+ Mental illness (MI) 51 47 Substance abuse (SA) 58 65 -Alcohol abuse 13 38 -Hashish abuse 50 36 -Hard drugs abuse 8 20 MI or SA 74 78 MI and SA 32 31 No MI or SA 26 22 Investing in young people to prevent a lost generation in Europe: key policy and practice in addressing youth homelessness 8th November 2013, Prague, Czech Republic
- 5. Reasons for homelessness (National Homelessness Count) Reasons, percent 18-24 year olds All age groups 18+ Mental illness 33 31 Drug abuse 32 29 Alcohol abuse 6 26 Divorce 9 16 Financial difficulties 37 32 Debt 7 8 Released from prison 11 8 Eviction 18 21 Lack of suitable housing 26 21 Could no longer live with family/friends 32 18
- 6. Explanations for increase in youth homelessness Continued social marginalization of vulnerable youth The rapid increase in youth homelessness over few years points to structural causes: Strong increase in youth unemployment Strong increase in young people on social benefits (50 pct. increase from 2007 to 2012 for 18-27 year olds) Cash benefit levels for 18-24 year olds are lower (half the level) than for 25+ year olds Strong and increasing shortage of affordable housing in larger cities
- 7. Housing outcomes of Housing First/ floating support Interventions (National homelessness strategy) Housing outcome, percent 18-24 year olds 25 years or older Have been housed and maintained housing 63 88 Lost housing 9 5 - rehoused in other housing (4) (2) - not rehoused (5) (3) Not been housed 28 8 Total 100 (n=335) 100 (n=803)
- 8. Experiences with interventions Conclusions from the national homelessness strategy: The housing first model is also suitable for young homeless people With Intensive Case Management also young homeless people with support needs can live in independent housing and this is the best solution for most of them Problems with substance abuse and conflicts in congregate housing facilities for young people The main barriers for extending Housing First to young homeless people are structural/systemic -lack of affordable housing/low benefits -local shortages of available support
- 9. Interventions (National Homelessness Count) Housing and support, percent 18-24 years old homeless people All homeless people On waiting list for housing 34 32 - own housing 30 27 - supported accommodation 4 5 Has social support person 34 28
- 10. Conclusions Strong increase in youth homelessness since 2009 Structural causes – combination of strong increase in youth unemployment, relatively low cash benefits for young people, and increasing lack of cheap/affordable housing Positive experiences with Housing First also for young homeless people Need for better access to affordable housing and for more case management support Investing in young people to prevent a lost generation in Europe: key policy and practice in addressing youth homelessness 8th November 2013, Prague, Czech Republic