European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN THE
NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT
ENHR
Collection of data on homelessness in Wallonia
Principal trends and methodological problems
Anne Deprez
IWEPS
Walloon Region, Belgium
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European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXTENHR
Outline1. Urban « Relais sociaux » (RS)
1. Geographical location
2. Context data
3. Legal background and political conception
2. Data collection in the RS1. Current characteristics
2. Exemple of detailed variables
3. Principal trends and statements 1. Trends about people profiles2. Statements in the area of social politics
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXTENHR
Collection of data on homelessness in WalloniaPrincipal trends and methodological problems
1. Urban « Relais sociaux »
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN
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1.1. Geographical location
Wallonia
3.5 millions inhabitants32% population of Belgium
55% territory of Belgium
23% GDP of Belgium (200
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN
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1. 1. geographical location
Geographical location of the different « Relais sociaux »
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN
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1.2. Context data
Townswhere the RS are located
No Inhabitants(01/2008; thousands)
Unemployment Rate (07/2010)
Social Integration Income Rate (*) (2009)
Charleroi 202 27.5 % 2.2 %
Liège 192 27 % 3.8 %
Namur 96 17 % 0.7 %
Mons 91 22 % 2.4 %
La Louvière 78 23 % 1.6 %
Tournai 68 16 % 1.2 %
Verviers 54 26 % 3.9 %
Wallonia 3,457 16 % 1.2 %
Belgium (SPF) 10,667 13 % 0.9 %
(*) SIM Rate = No SIM/ Total Population
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN
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1.3. Legal background and political conception
Walloon Decree (2003) Links between social emergency programs and social
integration policies Coordination of public and private services
night shelters Temporary social refuges for men, women… Social restaurants and shops medical and social services of emergency social outreach work (in the street)
Promotion of partnerships between different servicies
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN
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1.3. Legal background and political conception
Very few legal references in Wallonia : « very precarious people » rather than « homeless people »
Multidimensional and integrated conception of social work (rather than « housing first »)
Linear conception of social integration (by steps)
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN
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Collection of data on homelessness in WalloniaPrincipal trends and methodological problems
2. Data Collection in the RS
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN
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2.1. Current characteristics of the data collection
Different kind of populations Qualitative and quantitative data Administrative data (collected from Activity Reports) More focused on supply of services than on demand or needs of
people Social and demographic profiles by area of activity (defined by th
Walloon Decree) : social emergency, outreach work, reception centers (day only) , emergency hostelling and night shelters, winter and summer plans (from 2009)
Heterogeneous and not exhaustive data for Wallonia However providing valuable informations
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2.2. Exemple of detailed variables outreach work – 2009, Namur : social characteristics
Age Type of income
Wage, welfare benefits (unemployed / retired / disabled people), no income…
Household situationLiving alone , living alone with children, couple without / with children
Type of demand Housing, food or clothes help, administrative help, listening,…
Previous housing characteristics Private, night shelter, living rough, sharing with friends and relatives, social housing, hospital, old people home, …
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN
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Collection of data on homelessness in WalloniaPrincipal trends and methodological problems
3. Principal trends and statements
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN
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3.1. Trends about people profiles
Majority : men, 35-55 age group overrepresented
Increase of proportions of : < 25 > 60 women especially with children asylum seekers and undocumented people
(in inconditionnal services such as night shelters)
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN
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3.2. Principal statements in the area of social politics
No linear trajectories : not the same people in the different types of institutions
Difficulty not to stay in an emergency approach : lack of links between institutions
Between psychiatrist hospital and autonome housing Between night shelters and temporary accomodation
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN
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conclusion What kind of data collection do we need at short time?
Harmonised data with more detailed variables Time series at the regional level
Additional information : Census data (not available for Wallonia) Specific studies on different target groups with a dynamic
approach : Trajectories of people between institutions, living states Indicators of impact of partnership between services on
trajectories of people
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXTENHR
Thank you for your attention !