ABSTRACT

This chapter shows how difficult it is to analyse the services provided for homeless people, since they are not regarded as part of the ordinary service provision for the nation at large. The planning of services for the homeless is nevertheless part of social policy, of the way society is prepared to assume responsibility for those in need. Some of the homeless people may perhaps not be capable of handling their affairs as normal tenants, of bearing the responsibility required by a rental agreement. Services for homeless people are usually provided separately from other, ordinary services. The services targeted at people who are already homeless should also be regarded as preventive measures since they prevent the homeless person from sliding down the spiral to rooflessness. The number and proportion of the most difficult homeless cases, especially of drug addicts, drug-medicine abusers and people with serious mental health problems likewise varies from one country to another.