The Efficacy of Local Governance Arrangements in Relation to Homelessness. A Comparison of Copenhagen, Glasgow, and Amsterdam

Abstract

Over the last decade, several northern European metropolitan cities have developed new strategies to deal with homelessness. This article focuses on the efficacy of these new local governance arrangements in terms of service delivery and the related societal effects. By comparing and evaluating the policies, administrative structures and management styles in Copenhagen, Glasgow and Amsterdam, a better understanding is gained of the elements of local governance arrangements that influence the quality of service delivery for the homeless and benefit clients and society at large. The research findings lead to a critical view of current decentralizing trends.