The Routledge Handbook of Global Perspectives on Homelessness, Law & Policy

This handbook provides a comprehensive global survey and assessment of the law and policy relating to homelessness prevention. Homelessness is regarded internationally as one of the most pressing issues facing humanity and one of the greatest social challenges of our times. This has been further amplified as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Across the globe, there is an enormous divergence in both experiences of and responses to homelessness from governments and state actors. This handbook examines how different jurisdictions from across all five continents of the world have encountered, framed and responded to homelessness. Written by expert scholars and leaders in their field, the book engages in a multidisciplinary and comparative analysis of homelessness as an issue of acute social concern. Understandings of homelessness are geographically, culturally and historically situated, making analysis of each jurisdiction?s approach by a national expert deeply insightful. The collection examines legal and extra-legal policy interventions targeted at reducing or preventing homelessness from across the globe. Drawing on diverse perspectives, differing cultures and welfare regimes, it thus constitutes a timely evaluation of current approaches to homelessness internationally. This book will appeal to students and scholars of homelessness, sociology, social policy, anthropology, and urban sociology, as well as international and national policymakers.

Introduction: Learning Lessons Across Borders Part I: Europe, 1. 25 Years of Devolution and a (dis)United Kingdom Homelessness Policy, 2. Homelessness in Ireland: Law, Policy, and Practices, 3. Categorization, Selection, Displacement, and Invisibilization: Housing and Accommodation for the Homeless in France, 4. (Still) Much Untapped Potential in Homelessness Services: Challenges and Good Practice in Germany from a Social Work Perspective, 5. Homelessness in Italy: Old Private Stories and New Public Opportunities, 6. Homelessness and Hidden Homelessness in Spain: Tackling a Somewhat Unknown Yet Increasing Phenomenon, 7. Homelessness Law and Policy in Greece: Challenges and Opportunities, 8. Norway: A Housing-led Homeless Policy within a Weak Legal Framework, 9. Ending Homelessness or Managing the Homeless? Homelessness, Housing Policy and Practice in Sweden, 10. Governing Homelessness in the Netherlands: Incremental Change towards Providing Housing First, 11. The Illiberal State and Homelessness: the Case of Poland, 12. Homelessness in Switzerland: Federalist Pathways Between Ignoring, Passing on Responsibility for and Proactive Prevention of Homelessness, Part II: North America, 13. Homelessness in Canada: A Wicked Problem that Requires Genuine Political Commitment to Fix, 14. The Policy of State as a Social Determinant of Health: Canada's Indigenous Homelessness Policy, 15. Homelessness in the United States of America: Dreams of A Shining City, Realities of Homelessness, 16. Innovative Policy Responses to Housing Need in the United States: Case Studies on Safe Parking, Tiny Homes, and Direct Cash Transfers, Part III: South America, 17. ‘Nothing about us, without us’: How Homeless People Protagonism has Shaped the Law and Public Policy on Homelessness in Brazil, 18. Public Policies for the Homeless in Chile: A Shifting Picture, Part IV: Africa, 19. Homelessness in Nigeria: Issues and the Way Forward, 20. Preventing and Ending Homelessness in South Africa: Fusing Research, Policy and Practices – Lessons from the City of Tshwane, 21. The Housing Crisis and Homelessness in Zimbabwe: examining the exclusionary nature of urban legislation and planning practice in Harare, Part V: Asia, 22. Homelessness and Residential Policy in Japan, 23. ‘Positive Non-policy:’ Homeless Services and Transitional Rehousing Initiatives in Hong Kong and Malaysia, 24. Homelessness in India: A State Legislative and Civil Society Perspective, 25. Centrality of the Home and Homelessness in Singapore, Part VI: Oceania, 26. From Vagrancy to Public Nuisance in 200 years: Is it Still a Crime to be Homeless in Australia?, 27. Homelessness Prevention in Australian Residential Tenancies and Social Housing law: the Case for Reform, 28. A Snapshot of a Fragmented Landscape: Homelessness Law and Policy in Aotearoa New Zealand

Chris Bevan, Professor in Property, Housing and Homelessness, Durham University, UK