Århus

Århus homeless policy

Under the government aegis, Århus municipality has set up a homelessness strategy to abolish involuntary homelessness for a period spanning from 2009-2011. The key objectives of the Århus homelessness strategy are:

  • Homeless persons should not need to sleep in the street.
  • Secure a housing solution upon release from prison or hospitals.
  • No evictions
  • Reducing the time in a hostel to no more than 3-4 months for those who are ready to live on their own with support.
  • Young people should not need to stay in a hostel, but be given other solutions after the laws on social service and housing.
  • Strengthening outreach street work, creating a better flow through homeless hostels by creating more flexible forms of supported housing, which meet the needs of the homeless.

The planned initiatives must support one or more of these goals:

  • 1: No citizens should live a life on the street
  • 2: Young people should not stay at care homes, but must be offered alternative solutions
  • 3: Periods of accommodation in care homes or shelters should last no longer than three to four months for citizens who are prepared to move into their own homes with the necessary support
  • 4: Release from prison or discharge from courses of treatment or hospitals must presuppose that an accommodation solution is in place

Århus

Facts

  • Country: Denmark
  • Population: 300.000
  • Mayor: Jacob Bundsgaard
  • Contact Person: Rasmus Stenum Nørgaard, Nina Thorn Clausen, Palle Eli Jensen, Henrik Slott Nielsen
  • Key words: hjemløs (homeless), hjemløshed (homelessness), velfærd (welfare), velfærdsstat (welfare state), sociale ydelser (social security), sociale spørgsmål (social issues)
  • Website: http://www.aarhuskommune.dk