Trends In Homelessness In Denmark, Finland And Ireland

This paper discusses the consequences of labour market reforms on homelessness by comparing reforms in Denmark and Germany. It focuses on the dilemmas and consequences that reforms of social benefit systems and activation policies may have on homelessness and those at risk of homeless- ness. Recent reforms have involved changes and reductions in social benefits, which may negatively affect the ability of socially marginalised groups to find affordable housing and may thus increase the risk of homelessness. The coverage of housing costs is different in the two countries, but both systems are vulnerable to local variations in housing markets and administrative practices, with subsequent unintended consequences. This paper looks at how activation policies involve a potential for both social inclusion and social exclusion in the balance between enabling elements and social and economic sanctions. Finally it analyses how policies aimed at young people may unin- tentionally equate to a high-risk strategy for the socially vulnerable, as lower benefits may increase the risk of extreme marginalisation in terms of home- lessness when social vulnerabilities are not taken into account.