The work of town planners at the Universities of Dundee and St Andrews in co-ordinating research across Europe on the problem of homelessness is at the core of a conference at the West Park Centre on Wednesday 7 March.
Some 50 delegates from across Scotland will gather to address the issues of Homelessness, Housing and Social Exclusion at the day event organised by the two universities' Joint Centre for Scottish Housing Research.
Joint director of the JCSHR Bill Edgar said: "Homelessness is an extreme form of social exclusion and a priority problem not just in the UK but across Europe. At the EU level it is seen not just as a major economic and social challenge, but one which could undermine social cohesion and productivity. Different countries take different approaches to support in housing as a solution to homelessness. Our research at the European Observatory on Homelessness, bringing together findings from across Europe suggests that the homeless have high support needs not just in housing, and any plan to address social exclusion via this route must take these into account."
The conference will be introduced by University Principal Sir Alan Langlands and include papers by Dr Suzanne Fitzpatrick, Glasgow University on Research Priorities for Homelessness in Scotland, Dr Henk Meert, University of Leuven, Belgium on Homelessness and Household Survival Strategies, Ms Mina-Coull on Women and Homelessness and Mr Robert Aldridge on Preparation of Homelessness Strategies.
The work of the centre has already led to the production of three volumes - Services for Homeless People, Support and Housing and Women and Homelessness which is due out in June this year. Current research is focussing on Access to Housing which is the theme of the EU Presidencies this year.
In June this year each Member State will submit National Action Plans against Poverty and Social Exclusion. These will identify each country's strategy for tackling social exclusion over the next five years and will be updated annually. The European Commission has a budget of 70 million Euro to support these programmes and access to decent and affordable housing for all is a key benchmark against which they will be reviewed./ends
Contact Bill Edgar 013282 345238