Mutual Learning on Active Inclusion and HomelessnessEU Conference, 5-6 May 2010, Brussels

HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN

STOCKHOLMMaria Andersson and Christina Grönberg, Social Welfare-and

Labour Market Administration. City of Stockholm

Mutual Learning on Active Inclusion and Homelessness

EU Conference, 5-6 May 2010, Brussels

Network of Local Authority Observatories on Active Inclusion (NLAO)

• Decentralised & comparative research by local authority on local active inclusion policies

• Social services: housing & employment

• Outcomes: studies and policy recommendations, promoting dialogue between levels of government and with stakeholders

• Duration: March 2009 – August 2010

• Financial support through PROGRESS

Mutual Learning on Active Inclusion and Homelessness

EU Conference, 5-6 May 2010, Brussels

Results from the European Housing report

Main findings• Cities’ current challenges: availability of affordable housing, social segregation,

changing profile of users• Common principles already implemented (SE, NL, UK); major shift through social

service reforms in CZ, IT• Challenges in the implementation exist, e.g. user involvement, coordination recommendations on each principle

General conclusions• Active Inclusion strategy needs more target groups e.g. undocumented migrants,

‘working poor’, NEET• Common principles to be operationalised in the local context together with

stakeholders• Crucial role of local level in successful governance of social services to be

highlighted more

Mutual Learning on Active Inclusion and Homelessness

EU Conference, 5-6 May 2010, Brussels

Swedish context

No social housing, but public housing

Municipal self government, high level of independence

Municipal housing companies

Mutual Learning on Active Inclusion and Homelessness

EU Conference, 5-6 May 2010, Brussels

Trends in Stockholm

Diversification of providers

Roof-over the head guarantee

Housing ladder and focus on homelessness as social problem

Increasing focus on the importance of stable and secure housing for re-inclusion (change in attitudes connection between housing and addiction)

Mutual Learning on Active Inclusion and Homelessness

EU Conference, 5-6 May 2010, Brussels

Stockholm report

Main findings• Stockholm’s current challenges: availability of affordable housing, social

segregation• Common principles are implemented to a high degree, but on the local level there

can be big differences due to the municipal self government (also between districts in the city)

• Difficulties to enter and re-enter the housing market due to immobile market.

Recommendations from the report• Improvement is needed regarding user involvement in policy making.• Monitor development of the social situation among households in the remaining

public housing and compare with the development of other forms of housing.

Mutual Learning on Active Inclusion and Homelessness

EU Conference, 5-6 May 2010, Brussels

Stockholm right now

Community development

Community based integrated services (eg. housing and labour market activities)

Housing first