Some countries have cracked the code, but not Denmark

Norway is dukse, when it comes to dealing with homelessness. They've reduced homelessness by 36 percent since 2006, while Denmark has increased homelessness in recent years. It shows a new report from Kraka.

- It is simply embarrassing that we have not been better to reduce the number of homeless people. It rises in fact, and it is, among other things, a result of cuts on benefits, which is pushing people into poverty, says Pernille Skipper from Enhedslisten.

There is space for 30 resident in the waves night café in the national bank of denmark. In the winter, however, there is a need for more seats, so the staff draws extra mattresses. 'We cover a mørketal, because we take the homeless in, even if it's not in our budget', says Claus Hegstrup from the Refuge in the national bank of denmark. Photo: Rasmus Flindt Pedersen

the Duration of homelessness is also significantly longer in Denmark than in Norway. In Norway, 41 per cent. langtidshjemløse, that is to say, they are homeless in a minimum of seven months. The corresponding proportion in Denmark is 67 percent.

- Actually amazes me that it has become so harsh. We do and have done very much to reduce homelessness, but yet it only got worse in my 30 years in Parliament. We must have cracked the code and looked at what they have done right in Norway and Finland, says Marianne Effect from the Radical Left.

Socialordføreren from the Radical Left, will now take hold of the children and the minister of social affairs in order to get a summary of the initiatives the minister has put in with in 2017.

At the refuge in the national bank of denmark are the three employees to 130 overnight homeless. 'It makes it difficult to perform a qualified piece of social work', says Claus Hegstrup, who is an employee on the spot. Photo: Rasmus Flindt Pedersen

'the Government and I have an ambition to reduce the number of be homeless. Therefore, we deposed, among other things, last year, 154 million dollars for an action plan, which will ensure that fewer end up on the streets, and more people get back on their feet again. It is not a simple challenge, but for me it is one of the most important that we help those who are most vulnerable', writes minister Mai Mercado in an email.

the Report from november also shows that Denmark is the country in the Nordic region with the second-most gadehjemløse, with ten percent sleep on the streets. Their relationship has changed, as a two year new law forbids them to sleep together in groups.

- the Worst of all is almost camp-law. It makes it really criminal to be homeless, and this is a rather sinister view of human nature that is behind it. We warned, when they adopted the law, but no one listened, and it has affected any of the weakest in our society. It makes me very angry, says Pernille Skipper.

the Law was introduced to combat the roma camps, which ravaged Copenhagen in the summer of 2017. Out of the 451 offenders, foreign homeless is 374 of them from Romania. But also nine Danish homeless people have been sentenced, according to figures from the national Police.

Around the found abandoned camps in which roma has left behind tents, mattresses and garbage. Photo: Rasmus Flindt Pedersen

- The austerity measures, we have made because of the foreign homeless people, has also influenced our own, and it is not fair, says Marianne Effect from the Radical Left.

It is the minister of justice has introduced the 'ban on utryghedsskabende camps', and he has previously stated to Ekstra Bladet, that he wants to maintain the law.

Marianne Effect from the Radical Left want to talk with the children and socialminsteren, Mai Marcado, to follow up on how austerity has affected the Danish homeless people, and how this might counteract the inititativer to reduce homelessness.

- Zoneforbuddet is not a criminalization of homelessness, but to some foreign homeless people settling in camps in our parks and are a great nuisance and creates insecurity for the citizens – including the Danish people, the homeless, says Mai Mercado.