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 The City of Malmö Tel: +46 (0)40-34 77 23 |
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 On the actions in the fight against homelessness The basis for taking decisions aimed at finding solutions to the problems of the homeless is: A plan of action in the fight against homelessness. The plan of action covers the definition of the target group, the objectives and the action guidelines as well as the forms of their implementation. The plan includes an attachment, updated on an annual basis. It includes information on the current housing resources, the development plan as well as the plan to cover the demand. The main responsibility for the city of Malmö’s actions aiming at preventing the lack of flats rests on 10 council members of the individual districts dealing with housing issues. Special groups dealing with housing issues or single clerks dealing with the same issues are present within the frame of the social organizations in the individual districts. The coordination of the actions rests on the council member of the Kirseberg district, who is the special coordinator. The definition of “homeless” The National Board of Health and Welfare (Swedish: Socialstyrelsen) has established the definition of homeless. Since 2005, it has constituted the basis for establishing the homeless in Malmö. The major case is solving the issue of very short term housing or the lack of such a solution. This refers to a situation where it is not possible to have one's belongings stored in a specific place or it is difficult to establish permanent social relationships. The objective of the actions aiming at battling homelessness in Malmö:
Actions aimed at preventing homelessness Mapping homeless persons In Malmö, the number of homeless persons is established on 1st October on an annual basis. This constitutes the base for planning the municipality’s actions aimed at benefiting the homeless. The basis for establishing the number of homeless persons is the definition of The National Board of Health and Welfare. This establishment also constitutes an instrument to control the actions performed in this extent. The following factors are taken into account: The current place of residence, the type of household, age, sex, the current complex of problems, the reason for being homeless, the sources of living, the number of children, citizenship as well as the number of previous and the number of current homeless persons. There were 694 homeless persons in 2005. 75% of them were men, and 25% - women. The percentage of persons with addictions amounted to 51%, persons with mental health disorders – 11% and homeless persons with addictions as well as mental health disorders – 15%. A total of 77% have a problem with addictions or mental health disorders/illnesses. Preventative actions One of the most effective actions in the battle against homelessness is preventing evictions from taking place. Malmö has a counselling unit for budgetary and housing office issues, which deals with the preparation of agreements with building owners and, as far as it is possible, realistic payment schedules. This is essential for individual persons and at the same time it is a partner participating in preventative actions. The district representatives work intensively in order to prevent evictions, and they also contact persons threatened with relocation for being in arrears with their rent or their inappropriate behaviour and they offer them information on the types of assistance, i.e. economic, which the city may be able to grant them. Special attention is paid to families with children. Field actions The work of the districts entails field work with the homeless, specifically vagrants. Open actions We carry out open actions, meeting points for the homeless. They can have a cup of coffee, read the paper and meet other people there. Developmental actions Actions to combat homelessness are run by a strategic group comprised of a municipal coordinator, representatives of the district management as well as representatives from City Hall. It has the main responsibility in the extent of analyzing the needs as well as initiating the implementation of the subject actions. Cooperation in the extent of increasing the number of flats The strategic group cooperates with the local real estate office, the real estate department and the city development office. The cooperation entails the buildings, which can be used for the homeless. (either on the super-council level or for the needs of a given district) The local housing company – MKB – is a close partner not only in relation to the flats, but also in relation to the preparation of other housing offers. Cooperation also regards private real estate owners. Cooperation in the extent of assistance actions for the benefit of the homeless An example of cooperation between the municipality, MKB and a voluntary housing organisation, the support and employment of homeless persons with addictions is the "Vägvalet" project. The project also covers the prison system services. Their objective is the improving cooperation and facilitating the transition back to life after having served a sentence. The development of the cooperation with psychiatric care facilities is aimed at taking a mutual responsibility for persons with mental health disorders as well as addicted persons with mental health disorders. Preparing different types of housing support is especially important. This type of cooperating takes place on a small scale in the form of a "Stödhuset", which is a facility for addicted persons with mental health disorders. Personal spokespersons for the homeless 12 spokespersons granting personal support for the disabled and those with mental health disorders work in Malmö. Two of them deal specifically with the homeless and vagrants, by supporting them in contacts with the government offices and real estate owners. Organisational help Each year, the municipality grants organisational support to associations dealing with social assistance. These are associations, the actions of which are directed at the battle against addictions and care for the disabled. The actions of these associations also include the homeless – both those with addictions and those free of any addictions. This assistance also refers to housing belong to these organisation and the ALUMA street newspaper. Contracts on the development and purchase of private flats In the future, the municipality aims to use development contracts in order to obtain access to private and tenant flats for the homeless. To achieve this, the municipality will purchase private flats. Read more about City of Malmö |
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