Summary ▪

In the EU-27 which usually has open internal borders, the scale on which homelessness is addressed is always more European, while, historically, it was conventionally local, then national. In recent years, the issue has been the focus of assessment, attention, communication and innovation. On the occasion of the Action Plan for the effective implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, announced in early 2021 and which sets a target of reducing the number of persons at risk of poverty and social exclusion by 2030, it is possible to support strong recommendations in favour of a European homelessness policy:

• Set out a European strategy to combat homelessness
• Draw up an overview of policies conducted in the EU
• Improve data through counts in major European cities
• Establish European minimum standards for services to the homeless
• Finance assistance to European citizens who are not in their country of origin through European funds
• Give the new European Labour Authority a mandate on homelessness
• Approve financial support on a European scale for the creation of specialised housing and social residences