Homelessness within social change

Abstract

Homelessness, which is a combination of so many social problems, is one of the important indicators of the tragedy of humanity nowadays. It has become a current social problem again because of some reasons such as urbanization, be refugee status as a result of wars, migrations because of unemployment and poverty, alcohol and drug addiction, mental illnesses, terrorism, domestic violence and natural disasters. Although there are different descriptions of homelessness it is generally the event which some people sustains their lives in public places, parks or streets because they have no shelter of their own. Homelessness is a prism that reflects especially the frustrations of housing, welfare, education, health services and the justice system. This complex social phenomenon opposed to the basic definitions and resists against easy solutions. Homeless are not just the people whose opportunities and options are limited by poverty, but also those who are restricted because of mental illness, drug abuse, physical and sexual violence, ignorance, complex medical problems and getting older. The aim of this research is to discuss the psychological, sociological and economic problems of people who do not have a place for their own to use as a shelter; and to compare the solutions and strategies of some countries for the prevention of homelessness. In the study we focused on identification of the phenomenon of homelessness, the reasons for homelessness and the general characteristics of the homeless people. The sample of study is a social worker working in Istanbul, Turkey Darülaceze (Hospice) Institution and eleven homeless staying there; a social worker working in the city of Kassel, Germany Soziale Hilfe e.V. Kassel Institution and eleven homeless staying there; eight social workers working in the city of Ljubljana, Slovenya Kralji Ulice Institution and eleven homeless staying there; and a social worker working in Shelter Institution.The data were collected using interview, questionnaire, survey techniques and observations were made where appropriate.