Key steps towards a European Union homelessness policy

Abstract

This article explores the impact of the European Union (EU) on homelessness policy-making. Homelessness policy has undoubtedly been influenced at different levels, but the main framework for working on homelessness at the EU level in a targeted way over the last 10 years has been the social Open Method of Coordination (OMC). The article examines the emergence, through the social OMC, of the foundations of of an EU homelessness policy by looking at key mechanisms through which homelessness emerged on the EU agenda, and the first signs of EU impact on homelessness policy dynamics. The interconnection between local actions, national measures and the EU policy arena on homelessness is increasingly evident, to the extent that the EU is now in a position to support Member States to address homelessness.