Researchers at Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts have approached the topic of homelessness with large-scale field research, focusing on those affected. This study is based on the evaluation of interviews. It offers new approaches for prevention work and scientifically describes the living situation of homeless people using Dortmund as an example.
"Life on the streets is extremely stressful in terms of health and mental health," says Tim Sonnenberg(Opens in a new tab) , doctoral student at Fachhochschule Dortmund and co-editor of the book "Die 'Unsichtbaren' im Schatten der Gesellschaft - Forschungen zur Wohnungs- und Obdachlosigkeit am Beispiel Dortmund" (ISBN 978-3-658-31262-6)(Opens in a new tab) . Exclusion, competition, displacement, but also violence and abuse of power dominate. It is a daily struggle for survival. "Nobody does this voluntarily," says Tim Sonnenberg. The socio-political statement that no one in Germany has to live on the streets falls short.
Little concrete knowledge about homeless people to date
"Homeless people are now part of almost every cityscape," says Prof. Dr. Dierk Borstel(Opens in a new tab) , a social scientist at Fachhochschule Dortmund. This makes the lack of concrete knowledge about this group of people all the more surprising. The research from Dortmund should therefore shed some light on the subject. Who are these people? What stories lie behind them? What is their current life like? What are their hopes and aspirations?
The biographies of homeless people are very complex: but whether they are workers, refugees or young people - losing their home is usually preceded by a long, individual process that leads to homelessness. The authors of the study speak of "breaking points" and "acute life crises". Life on the streets then causes new problems and crises, with alcohol and drugs sometimes becoming a coping strategy for those affected. Survival alone takes all available strength. Fixed appointments with the authorities, for example, are sometimes no longer possible. "This is then often interpreted as a lack of willingness to cooperate," reports Tim Sonnenberg.
New opportunities for prevention work
What the life stories of those affected have in common is that prevention work would have been possible time and again. "Homelessness and homelessness must be given greater focus in many areas of social work - from youth welfare to judicial social work," says Tim Sonnenberg. The researchers have derived risk factors from the biographies of those affected and developed recommendations for action for the interaction between administration, social work and voluntary help.
According to the authors, the help system needs to move away from an administrative and custodial approach towards an individual case analysis. Homelessness should not simply be ignored. Social awareness is needed in order to take action. Most of those affected feel not only discriminated against, but also treated with disregard for human dignity, which in turn is reflected in a rejection of existing support facilities. This cycle must be broken. This requires bridges between the bureaucratic system and the world on the street.
Background: Homelessness study
The data for the study was collected on an action research day (May 20, 2019) in Dortmund. A large team of researchers and 80 students spent a day counting and interviewing homeless people in the city. The surveys were conducted exclusively on a voluntary basis. In-depth interviews were conducted with some of those affected. The quantitative evaluation of the action research day revealed a significantly higher number of people affected than initially assumed. The qualitative evaluation of the interviews gave the researchers deep insights into the structures of the scene.