Working with People Experiencing Homelessness in Europe

Abstract

In Europe, the widespread transition from the Traditional Staircase (TS) model to the Housing First (HF) model is transforming the way social service providers work with people experiencing homelessness. This study examined social service providers' perspectives in both models regarding factors that facilitate or hinder their work. Data were collected through 17 photovoice projects involving 81 social service providers from eight European countries. The results show factors affecting social service providers' work at three levels: systemic, organizational, and individual. Professionals in TS and HF identified similar topics; however, TS providers discussed more obstacles to work. Implications for practice are discussed.

Using a modified version of photovoice in a European cross‐national study on homelessness

“…The topics discussed by participants contributed to a European view of homeless services and the differences between TS and HF (Gaboardi et al, 2022). The themes discussed by the participants contributed to the development of European policy guidelines for homeless services in Europe [D7.4 Policy Guidelines; Ref.…”

“…First, visual language helped get social service providers to talk about their work contexts. With photographs, they spoke not only about aspects of the organizations but also about their struggles in working with people experiencing homelessness and challenges with the larger community (e.g., citizens and politics), while also bringing out their emotions (Gaboardi et al, 2022). As Figures 2 and 3 show, the visual language allowed us to observe the similarities and differences between countries.…”

“…Participants elaborated the themes so that the cultural significance of the photographs was made explicit and maintained in the cross‐national comparison. Fourth, this study led to a greater understanding of homeless services in Europe and the development of both factors that foster and hinder work with people experiencing homelessness (Lenzi et al, 2021; Gaboardi et al, 2022). The cross‐cultural project allows a comparison of participants' experiences in different countries.…”

“…This study focuses on how a modified cross‐national version of photovoice is a useful qualitative research method to facilitate understanding across multiple countries and languages, as well as lessons learned in the implementation of the process. Specific analyses of the results of the photo projects have been reported elsewhere (Gaboardi et al, 2022).…”

“…For example, the balance between work and private life, into which work emergencies intrude, was mentioned in Italy, but not elsewhere. For a full description of the 17 themes, see Gaboardi et al, 2022.…”