National Concept for Preventing and Ending Homelessness
Homelessness and housing exclusion are the most extreme manifestations of poverty and social exclusion. They refer to the living situations of persons who do not have adequate housing because they have lost stable and suitable housing or are unable to secure it through their activities in the current circumstances.
Since 20103, awareness of homelessness and exclusion from housing has increased and more approaches based on integrated strategies to combat homelessness and exclusion from housing are called for across the EU. This includes relevant Council of Europe Conclusions from 2012 and 2016, the European Parliament (EP) Resolution of 2014 and the European Commission (EC) document “Solving Homelessness in the European Union”, which is a companion document to the 2013 Social Investment Package (SIP).
In recent cycles, the analysis in the country reports produced as part of the European Semester cycle has increasingly focused on preventing and ending homelessness. The European Pillar of Social Rights, in Principle 19, recognized the rights to housing and assistance for people without a home, as well as protection from forced eviction. The Revised Common Employment Guidelines, adopted in June 2018, including Guideline 8 on equal opportunities, social inclusion, and combating poverty, state that for those in need or a vulnerable situation.
