From homeless to homeowner

People who were once homeless may find it difficult to maintain an existence in their own homes. This report examines the challenges previously homeless people perceive as the greatest in the transition to home ownership, and it identifies the social interventions which they perceive as being most important.
Among the main risk factors for recurrence of homelessness is the resumption of a previous substance abuse connected to the "old" homeless environment, loneliness in the new home and lack of daily routine and structure. Previously homeless people find that having a fixed association with a contact person is important in their efforts to build up a new life and existence. The possibility of interaction with children in their own homes is also a crucial stabilising factor.
The analysis identifies a number of possible focus areas for social interventions, including good coordination between shelter and municipality in the transition phase and supportive housing interventions already before they actually move in, such as help with establishing social contacts and assistance in contact with the authorities.
The study is based on interviews with 15 previously homeless people in Copenhagen and Odense. The report has been commissioned and financed by the Ministry of Social Affairs (now the Ministry of Social Affairs and Integration).