Criminalisation of homelessness in Europe

Housing Rights Watch and FEANTSA have been working  on the issues of criminalisation of homelessness since 2012. 

In 2012 we launched and ran a campaign to raise awareness about the issue called, Poverty is Not a Crime

As part of the campaign, Housing Rights Watch and FEANTSA asked pro bono lawyers to provide a snapshot of the anti-social behaviour laws and how they impact the criminalisation of homelessness in 17 EU Member States. Find the full text of the reports below: 

 

Austria

Belgium

Czech Republic

Denmark

England & Wales

Finland

France

Hungary

Ireland

Italy

Netherlands

Poland

Romania

Slovak Republic

Spain

Sweden


In 2013 we published a book, Mean Streets: A report on the criminalisation of homelessness in Europe. The book can be downloaded from this site and features insights into the policy drivers of criminalisation, case studies from Belgium, Hungary, Poland, and Spain, and good practice examples including using Ombuds services, legal services and others.  Click here for more information.

In 2015 a Position was published: Criminalising Homeless People - Banning Begging in the EU

We launched The Homeless Bill of Rights in November 2017.  

We are very keen to hear about any campaigns to fight criminalisation, as well as examples of the criminalisation of homelessness. 

Please contact: Maria Aldanas with your comments and suggestions. 

Subject: 
Criminalisation

Funders

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