Homeless immigrants ineligible for social welfare benefits: identification of sub-groups and their characteristics

Alexander Huber

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Although the number of immigrants stemming from EU countries increased within the last decade, they are widely excluded from social welfare benefits, also from the relevant support systems in case of homelessness. As a result, the daily concerns of homeless immigrants are largely unknown and studies understanding their situation are very scarce. The present study analysed data of homeless immigrants who turned to the only Upper Austrian donation-funded NGO that serves them within a period of one year. In total, 135 different persons visited this NGO and 88 persons agreed that their data can be used for further analyses. The vast majority of these 88 persons were EU citizens (97%), male (65%) and Romanian citizens (64%). They came to this NGO to ask for basic support, followed by support in finding regular work, and the storage of their personal belongings. Subgroup analyses showed that homeless immigrants are a heterogeneous group which need different services in the professional support processes of social work. Based on the empirical findings, this paper gives structured recommendations for social work practice with homeless immigrants.

Translated title of the contributionWohnungslose Migrant*innen ohne Rechtsanspruch auf sozialstaatliche Leistungen: Identifizierung von Subgruppen und ihrer Merkmale
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)294-306
Number of pages13
JournalEuropean Journal of Social Work
Volume27
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Keywords

  • access to social benefits
  • Austria
  • Homelessness
  • migration
  • statistical analysis

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