Key Opportunities for Homeless Policymakers in the Current EU Framework

Homelessness: Key Opportunities in the Current EU

Framework

Ruth Owen

[email protected]

Overview

EU framework Cohesion Policy (ERDF and ESF) Social innovation and experimentation Some key activities under PROGRESS 2012

FEANTSA activities

Cohesion Policy

Current period: 2007-2013 Forthcoming period: 2014 - 2020

Cohesion Policy 2007 – 2013ERDF

Since May 2010 possible for each MS to use up to 3% of ERDF funding for housing interventions for marginalised communities:

renovation of common parts of buildings in multiple occupancy renovation or changing building owned by public authorities or NGOs into

housing for marginalised groups renovation and replacement of existing housing.   Potentially allows for renovation of shelters and transformation of other

buildings into shelters, but also transformation of shelters into supported housing

Re-allocation of unspent money within Operational Programmes Most MS underspend but technically difficult to reallocate in short

time frame Number of examples where this has been taken up – so far little

focus on homelessness NB: the managing authorities received training on this from DG

Regio, 21 March 2012 Time is running out….!

Cohesion Policy 2007 – 2013ESF

In the Members States Priorities defined by Operational Programmes Access to employment and social inclusion = priority area

Transnationality Support for transnational cooperation in all policy areas identified

for ESF interventions Including social inclusion of disadvantaged people and combating

discrimination in the labour market, Learning networks

Networks of ESF Managing Authorities and Intermediate Bodies Focus on specific thematic and governance issues are now up and

running (co-financed by ESF Technical Assistance) Call in 2012

Cohesion Policy 2014 – 2020

Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 legislative package Commission proposals published, now going through legislative

procedure alignment with the new long-term objectives of the EU2020 strategy to

promote jobs and growth including poverty target (at least 20 million)

By 2013 Partnership Contracts to be agreed between MS and EC assess development needs define national priorities supporting delivery on the Europe 2020

strategy combine ERDF and the ESF in "multi-fund" programmes targets that the Member States plan to reach by the end of the programming

period implementing agencies performance indicators opportunity to integrate homelessness in this framework

ESF 2014 - 2020 Promoting social inclusion and combating poverty

one of four thematic objectives to be targeted by the ESF. at least 20 % of the ESF allocation should be dedicated to this

thematic objective, hence reinforcing the social dimension. This objective can be reached through a range of actions,

including active inclusion enhancing access to affordable, sustainable and high-quality

services, including health care and social services of general interest

integration of marginalised communities Move away from the current predominant focus on

employment. More space for homelessness

ERDF 2014 - 2020 Promotion of social inclusion and combating poverty,

including : “investing in health and social infrastructure which contribute to

national, regional and local development, reducing inequalities in terms of health status and transition from institutional to community-based services”.

shift from homeless shelters (institutional) as the predominant response to homelessness towards supported housing (community based)??

Focus on sustainable urban development in the framework of EU cohesion policy

at least 5% of the ERDF resources allocated for strategies setting out integrated actions to tackle the economic, environmental, climate and social challenges affecting urban areas.

Scope for infrastructure/housing element of homelessness strategies to be supported.

Social Innovation and experimentation

High on the political agenda “The crisis has only confirmed the necessity for

change in the way we approach our social and economic challenges. Innovation in its broadest sense must be part of our response to today's challenges” (José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission, Brussels, 17 March 2011)

European Platform Against Poverty “design and implement programmes to promote social

innovation for the most vulnerable”. promote evidence-based social innovation, including social

experimentation Innovation Union Flagship

Tools to support social innovation and experimentation

EUPSCI: new financial instrument managed directly by the Commission combines PROGRESS, EURES and Microfinance Facility aim:

to promote social change and innovation support policy coordination, sharing of best practices, and capacity-

building test and evaluate innovative policies (social experimentation) EUR 97 million (17% of PROGRESS is to be allocated to

experimental projects) support from the ESF for scaling up

Opportunities for homelessness e.g. “Housing First Europe” (2010) 2011 call – projects submitted on homelessness Lots of potential in relation to housing-led and Housing First

Some key areas for social innovation and experimentation

The cost-effectiveness of housing-led approaches

The effectiveness of different forms and combinations of housing and social support;

Prevention of homelessness; Sourcing housing

the removal of barriers to social housing increasing the capacity of the private rental sector to

house homeless people Transformation of hostels

Tools to support social innovation and experimentation ctnd

Horizon 2020 ESF ERDF Social business initiative Useful resources:

DG Employment Methodological Guide DG Employment Examples of social

innovation in MS

PROGRESS 2012 European Quality Framework for Social Services

(Sectoral) Call in 2012

European Institute of Public Administrations (EIPA) Large-scale training programme on social inclusion

commissioned by DG Employment Peer Review programme

Could be a focus on homelessness (selection of hosts and peers happens through SPC)

Call for tender for an academic network to enhance capacity for Social Experimentation

10 Social Experimentation projects to be funded under the 2012 call (probably 5 this year)

Some Key FEANTSA activities

Ongoing informal ministries forum Study visits in framework of French

homelessness EOH study in framework of French

homelessness strategy on different support models in context of Housing First services

New European report on application of Housing First in EU contexts

For Your Diaries…

Local authorities seminar “Funding strategies: Building the case for homelessness”Friday 8 June 2012, Brussels