Naslov
The Vicious Circle: Exploring Hidden Homelessness in Croatia

Autori
Šikić-Mićanović, Lynette ; Sakić, Suzana ; Greiner, Paula

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, neobjavljeni rad, znanstveni

Skup
ECSWR 2021 10th European Conference for Social Work Research

Mjesto i datum
Bukurešt, Rumunjska, 05.05.2021. - 07.05.2021

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
hidden homelessness, services, criminalisation

Sažetak
The Croatian Network for Homeless People estimates that the number of persons experiencing absolute homelessness in Croatia is approximately 2000. Conversely, the latest official number of homeless people (registered users of temporary and emergency shelters) provided by the Ministry of Demography, Family, Youth and Social Policy is 364. This indicates a large gap mostly made up of “hidden” homeless people – mostly rough sleepers, invisible to the system. They are invisible because they are unable to access homeless services or choose to remain hidden to avoid criminalisation. In many cases, they do not have a ‘valid’ ID card, which is penalised in Croatia. For example, it is difficult for persons who do not have a place to live or cannot prove that they do live at a registered address to obtain an ID card. Without a valid ID, people lose their all their rights as citizens, including the possibility to access any social and health services. Even though rough sleepers are frequently invisible to state institutions, there are organizations that recognise their needs to be supported and provide certain services that work towards including them into society. Since “hidden homelessness” officially does not exist, this not only poses obvious problems to rough sleepers themselves, but also to NGOs and social workers. It is difficult for NGOs to receive funding for projects aimed at a group that is invisible, while the work of social workers is often reduced to mere administrative work. In this paper, we want to explore the complex and practical complications that such a system has both on the lives of rough sleepers and on the work of social workers and service providers. It is hoped that these discussions will lead to more effective interventions targeting the most vulnerable homeless people as well as improved social policy.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Sociologija, Etnologija i antropologija

POVEZANOST RADA