With the support of FEANTSA, the European Observatory on Homelessness has been working on dynamising research and dialogue between research and policy in order to fuel evidence based public policy making for preventing and reducing homelessness for 35 years.
Thus, this digest series is very welcome as it serves exactly this goal. It is a guide to exploring the vast literature on homelessness in Europe and beyond. It shows the added value of research in understanding the complexity, scope, dynamics, and mechanisms of homelessness, and makes it easier to use research for informing better responses to homelessness but also uncovering the root causes, to enable prevention and reduction of homelessness.
Studies presented in this digest reveal recurring patterns of homelessness across the Global North, suggesting that systemic issues, rather than individual crises, contribute to the problem. Research shows that vulnerabilities caused by deficiencies of welfare structures, shaped by demographic, economic, and political pressures, push a number of marginalised groups into housing instability, perpetuating deprivation. Furthermore, key findings across Europe reveal how emergency-focused systems have often failed to respond and to address the underlying causes of homelessness, maintaining the status quo. The selection of research literature in this issue of the digest also includes resources on enhanced policies and tools to address this challenge.