Fourth Review of Statistics On Homelessness in Europe, the Ethos Definition of Homelessness
Description:
It is impossible to enumerate homelessness if it is not defined. It is equally impossible to compare 'levels' of homelessness unless there is a common definition and sub-definitions to allow for national and regional population differences. Homelessness can be defined narrowly to include only people without a roof over their heads or it can be defined more broadly. The continuing use of narrow definitions in many countries to develop 'good practice' programs and policies that acknowledge the range of different groups, the pathways and trajectories into and out of homelessness, and the need to foster independence (Greenhalgh et al, 2004).
FEANTSA has, for a number of years, argued that homelessness needs to be understood within a broader understanding that includes, as well as people who are roofless, people who are houseless and people who live in insecure and inadequate housing. This broader definition reflects the causes of homelessness and the need to understand the processes of exclusion which can lead to people living under the threat of homelessness for long periods of their lives as well as experiencing actual homelessness.
FEANTSA has developed and adopted the ETHOS typology of homelessness in an attempt to reflect the diversity of experience across the member states and welfare regimes that make up the Eurpoean Union and to provide a more harmonised approach to understanding the nature of the problems of homelessness and housing exclusion at European and national level. ETHOS therefore represents a compromise between different national perspectives and realities. It is also an evolving process of refining both the categories of the typology and their definition. Although ETHOS is intended to assist in improving data collection and comparison, it provides a tool that can be used flexibly at national level and that can assist in the policy discourse on the changing nature of homelessness and the policies that address it. It is, therefore, a pragmatic approach to deal with a complex issue.
The purpose of this review of homeless statistics in Europe is to examine the definitions of homelessness in relation to the categories of the ETHOS typology developed in the previous edition of this review (Edgar et al, 2004). This is the main focus of the report in relation to the evolution of the ETHOS typology. The report also presents the latest available data in relation to this definition but this was not the primary focus of the brief to the correspondents of the Observatory. The issues of measurement and data collection will form the focus of the next review of European statistics on homelessness.
Type of Resource:
Fact Sheet
Publication Date:
2006
Location:
Amsterdam