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From Polish Homelessness Abroad to Homelessness in Poland EUROPEAN RESEARCH CONFERENCE Homelessness, Migration and Demographic Change in Europe Pisa, 16th September 2011 Interdisciplinary Center 'Sciences for peace’ Julia Wygnańska Warsaw Council for the Homeless, Fundation for Social Innovation and Research „Shipyard”

From Polish Homelessness Abroad to Homelessness in Poland

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Presentation given by Julia Wygnańska at a FEANTSA Research Conference on "Homelessness, Migration and Demographic Change in Europe", Pisa, Italy, 2011

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Page 1: From Polish Homelessness Abroad to Homelessness in Poland

From Polish Homelessness Abroad

to Homelessness in Poland

EUROPEAN RESEARCH CONFERENCE

Homelessness, Migration and Demographic Change in Europe

Pisa, 16th September 2011

Interdisciplinary Center 'Sciences

for peace’

Julia Wygnańska

Warsaw Council for the Homeless,

Fundation for Social Innovation

and Research „Shipyard”

Page 2: From Polish Homelessness Abroad to Homelessness in Poland

Introduction

� The situation of Central and Eastern European (A8) work migrants who ended up as

homeless in the streets of Western European cities has recently (2004-2010) been a

point of interest of homelessness research community as the phenomenon became a

noticeable point on the agenda of support services and policy makers. � As Homeless Link put it the A8 migrant constituted „small but significant proportion”

� The migrants from Poland caught a lot of attention.

� The condition of Polish migrants rough sleeping in European towns focused the

debate on homelessness in new EU member states around that subject leaving

somewhat behind the character of homelessness in their home countries.

EUROPEAN RESEARCH CONFERENCE

Homelessness, Migration and Demographic Change in Europe

Pisa, 16th September 2011

somewhat behind the character of homelessness in their home countries.

� The aim of this presentation is to look for links between the above mentioned

interest of European audience to homelessness in the CEE countries: its nature,

causes (data exists) and risk groups (how to find it?).

� The presentation stems from the perspective of local researcher from Poland and is

based on research available locally.

Page 3: From Polish Homelessness Abroad to Homelessness in Poland

Hypothesis

Significant group of homeless people in European (Brussels, London, Oslo)

and Polish (Warsaw, Tricity) cities consists of people who share common characteristics

in terms of causes to homelessness and support needs. They are work migrants who

came to biger town in search of better employment, income and perspectives for

EUROPEAN RESEARCH CONFERENCE

Homelessness, Migration and Demographic Change in Europe

Pisa, 16th September 2011

came to biger town in search of better employment, income and perspectives for

quality of life. Some of them chosen to migrate to Warsaw and some to London, Oslo

or Brussels…

If so, the risk group which should be approached to prevent homelessness of Polish

immigrants in EU cities and in Polish cities is the same.

The above hypothesis is based on research presented on following 3 slaids.

Page 4: From Polish Homelessness Abroad to Homelessness in Poland

Research on Polish immigrant population

� General view of Polish immigrant population in GB is rather positive:

� 2006 Eade, Drinkwater, Garapich: (1) Poles as a significant group among

immigrants in GB also before 2004; (2) Poles called „Britan’s favourite migrants”

� 2011 Frelak, Fomina, „Image/Opinions on Poland nd Poles in GB” Quantitative study

on representative sample of British People: (1) general opinion on the presence of

Poles in GB is positive. (2) Typical immigrant is believed to be a reliable and honest

although unskilled worker. (3) Causes to immigration: better employment, new life

EUROPEAN RESEARCH CONFERENCE

Homelessness, Migration and Demographic Change in Europe

Pisa, 16th September 2011

although unskilled worker. (3) Causes to immigration: better employment, new life

experience (but not running away from unemployment in home country*). Poles

emigrate becasue they want to not because they are pressed by the lack of

perspectives.

� 2010 Fihel, Grabowska-Lusińska, article on fluency of returns to Poland: (1) Data

on remigration suggests that we should rather talk on the mobility of Poles within EU

then on migration of Poles.

*Ośrodek Badań nad Migracjami UW: 47% of people who emigrated from Poland after 2004 were employed, 22%

unemployed.

WHO SLEEPS ON THE STREETS THEN?

Page 5: From Polish Homelessness Abroad to Homelessness in Poland

Research on Polish immigrant homeless groups

� Mostowska’s research on local groups of homeless Poles in Oslo and Brussels: (1)

Characteristics: family conflicts, arrival in search for employment, lack of social

networks (esp. bridging social capital), low (or none) service use due to

communication problems (language).

� Bowpitt et al. studies on Polish subsample of service users in London and

Nottingham: male, all with alcohol issues. (1) Causes to (street) homelessness:

informal employment e.g. loss of tied accommodation with loss of empl; prison

episodes, alcoholism related problems. (2) Barriers to accessing (housing) support:

EUROPEAN RESEARCH CONFERENCE

Homelessness, Migration and Demographic Change in Europe

Pisa, 16th September 2011

episodes, alcoholism related problems. (2) Barriers to accessing (housing) support:

legal/registration problems (statutory, local connection); language.

� Goryńska-Bittner, Barka Network: (1) Causes to homelessness among immigrants:

socio-economic situation in the home country, (unemployment, eviction), social

pathologies (alcoholism, crime, domestic violence), councious choice of a (homeless)

life style -> „Polish immigrants sometimes choose homelessness as an escape from

the past, which is believed to be unique for this nation only”.

Page 6: From Polish Homelessness Abroad to Homelessness in Poland

Research on Homeless groups in Polish cities

� 2010 Wola pilot study of users of services for the homeless in Wola district

(about 35% all services in town) (flow for 3 years = 4380): avarage registered night

stock in shelters and nightshelters 308, 342 in all services, 36% aged 51-60, mostly

men, over 80% are lonely/solitary (divorced, serparated or single); non-polish

citizenship 3%; registered local connection in Warsaw 39%, in Mazowia outside

Warsaw 22%, other voivodships 39%.

� 2003-9 Pomeranian survey (comaprison of data from 4 surveys) on max 2620

people clasiffied as homeless in the Pomeranian Region (flow unavailable):

geographical origin/local connection – not summarised; dominating age group 37%

EUROPEAN RESEARCH CONFERENCE

Homelessness, Migration and Demographic Change in Europe

Pisa, 16th September 2011

geographical origin/local connection – not summarised; dominating age group 37%

51-60; causes to homelessness (‘not up to the homeless person’) eviction 43%, being

turned onto the street by the family 29%, loss of employment 20%. Causes (‘up to

the homeless person’): alcoholism 36%; bad health 23%; marriage breakdown due to

the homeless person’s behaviour 23%; own choice (sic!) 23%.

� 2011 Client register from a Warsaw shelter for single men. Shelter uses client

database from Wola Pilot Study based on MPHASIS and ETHOS (flow for 3 years

571): registered local connection out of Warsaw 75%, non-polish citizenship >1%;

causes to homelessness: personal (alcohol included) 35%, conflict in a

family/household 43%; support needs: alcohol dependancy diagnosed 29%,

suspected 25%, lack of everyday occupation 68%.

Page 7: From Polish Homelessness Abroad to Homelessness in Poland

Summary - common characteristics

Research based (to some extent):

� Originally come from somewhere else then the city they are homeless in - usually

smaller cities which lack life perspectives.

� Hoping for good/better employment as major motivation for migration.

� Emplyment believed to be a key to success (as opposed to social networks or

housing options).

� Lack of social networks and bridging social capital.

Alcohol related problems (alcoholism, low selfesteem, depression).

EUROPEAN RESEARCH CONFERENCE

Homelessness, Migration and Demographic Change in Europe

Pisa, 16th September 2011

� Alcohol related problems (alcoholism, low selfesteem, depression).

� Legal/registration problems (lack of documents, unclear legat status in therms of

eligibility for support)

Additional:

� Poor competence in communication (foreign language abroad or problems

communicating with services and dealing with institutions in a home country)

Page 8: From Polish Homelessness Abroad to Homelessness in Poland

Hypothesis – probably true but…

� Common characteristics can be observed…

� … but there is not enough data to confirm the hypothesis…

� … however there is enough data to justify the need for research on the risk

groups which is necessary to prevent homelessness of migrants who

became homeless in European (Polish included) cities.

� The risk group can be defined as (1) people who are not satisfied with their

emplyment and life opportunities (2) see the solution in migration to bigger

EUROPEAN RESEARCH CONFERENCE

Homelessness, Migration and Demographic Change in Europe

Pisa, 16th September 2011

emplyment and life opportunities (2) see the solution in migration to bigger

town (3) live in small towns in Poland (4) have low social capital.

� Example of research on potencial risk group: Rakowski „Łowcy, zbieracze,

praktycy niemocy” (Hunters, Collectors, Practitioners of Incapacity), 2007

Page 9: From Polish Homelessness Abroad to Homelessness in Poland

Lessons from local policies/research on homeless Poles abroad to PL?

� Accent on immigrants among homeless populations in EU cities. In PL immigtrants

are conceptualised as a separate group from the homeless eventhough they might be

on the streets or in marginal housing situation. Proporton of immigrants amoung

homless service users is marginal (up to 3% declare citizenship other then Polish).� eg. Web pages for immigrants within webpages of services for homeless people (Homelesslink).

� In Poland alcohol dependancy is often understood as a cause to homelessness and a

choice of a lifestyle (PL – Goryńska-Bittner) whereas in GB it is researched as a

support need (GB - Bowpitt) and a disease which should be adequately treated (e.g.

core variables on homelessness by MPHASIS).

EUROPEAN RESEARCH CONFERENCE

Homelessness, Migration and Demographic Change in Europe

Pisa, 16th September 2011

core variables on homelessness by MPHASIS).

� Conducting research on homelessness in order to provide baseline for effective policy

(PL concentration on stock and point in time measures).

� Social capital as an important term/theory which should be used to characterise

homeless population in PL.

Page 10: From Polish Homelessness Abroad to Homelessness in Poland

Some points on PL to abroad

� Significant proportion of homeless people in Polish cities are work migrants who were

hoping for improvements but were not able to succeed => they are also in Poland not

only in London, Brussels and Oslo!

� In Poland employment and family reunion are considered top options for supporting

homeless people in getting out of homelessness. (Like one of Bowpitt’s respondents

pointed out): “Number one is work [then] room is no problem because I go to work

and will pay you £40 or £35 per week no problem, because I work and am making

money”.

EUROPEAN RESEARCH CONFERENCE

Homelessness, Migration and Demographic Change in Europe

Pisa, 16th September 2011

Page 11: From Polish Homelessness Abroad to Homelessness in Poland

References

� Fihel, A., Grabowska-Lusińska, I., (2010) „Płynność powrotów do Polski. Studia Migracyjne - Przegląd Polonijny.

Zeszyt 4/2010, Instytut Badań nad Migracjami, Warszawa, http://www.migracje.uw.edu.pl/publ/1506/

� Frelak, J., Fomina J. (2011) „Wizerunek Polski i Polaków w Wielkiej Brytanii”, Instytut Spraw Publicznych ISP,

� Wygnańska, J., „Wolski Pilotaż” Fundacja Pracownia Badań i Innowacji Społecznych Stocznia, Warszawa

www.bezdomnosc.edu.pl (expected)

� PFWB (2010) „Najważniejsze wyniki badań socjodemograficznych dla Województwa Pomorskiego. Lata 2003-

2009”, http://www.pfwb.org.pl/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Wyniki-badania-socjodemograficznego-2009-

porownanie.pdf

� Eade, J., Drinkwater, M., Garapich, S., (2006) Poles Apart? EU Enlargement and the Labour

� Market Outcomes of Immigrants in the UK, IZA DP No. 2410

EUROPEAN RESEARCH CONFERENCE

Homelessness, Migration and Demographic Change in Europe

Pisa, 16th September 2011

� Market Outcomes of Immigrants in the UK, IZA DP No. 2410

� Mostowska, M. (2010) Migration networks and homelessness. Pathways through rooflessness of Polish migrants

in Oslo, ENHR 2010, 4-7 July, ISTANBUL

� Mostowska, M. (2010) „Using Services for the Homeless Abroad. Polish Rough Sleepers in Brussels and Oslo” ,

presentation for FEANTSA Research Conference 2010 in Budapest

� Bowpit, G., Dwyer, P., Sundin, E., Weinstein, M., (2010) „Land of opportunity? Comparing street homeless

experiences between Polish migrants and UK citizens in two British cities”, presentation for FEANTSA Research

Conference 2010 in Budapest

� Goryńska-Bittner, B. (2010) „Diagnosis of a scale and nature of homelessness relating to Poles living in Europe”,

working paper, Barka Network

Page 12: From Polish Homelessness Abroad to Homelessness in Poland

„Small but significant proportion”?

� A8 nationals in London homelessness services – 2006 ¾ have A* nationals among clients, about 15% clients are A8 and majority of 68% are Polish;

� A majority of services found that A8 nationals faced problems of accommodation, employment, language difficulties and lack of knowledge of the UK system. Much fewer saw A8 nationals with support needs normally associated with rough sleeping such as drug or alcohol misuse or mental and physical health problems.

� November 2007 – Out of the 402 rough sleepers recorded in total that week, 74 of them were from Central & Eastern Europe. Za homeless link Central and Eastern European Rough Sleepers in London: Baseline Survey

� November 2008 - Out of the 508 rough sleepers recorded 126 (25%) of them were from Central and Eastern Europe.

� 2011 London has the highest number of rough sleepers, with a total of 415. 12 Local Authorities in London conducted street counts between October - November 2010, finding 262 people sleeping rough. The other 21 Local Authorities submitted rough sleeping estimates with a total of 153 rough sleepers. In London 26% - 8% more then the year before are A8 nationals.

The CHAIN database, a London-based recording system that records figures on rough sleepers, show that 3’673 people

EUROPEAN RESEARCH CONFERENCE

Homelessness, Migration and Demographic Change in Europe

Pisa, 16th September 2011

� The CHAIN database, a London-based recording system that records figures on rough sleepers, show that 3’673 people were seen rough sleeping in the Capital last year. This is 201 more than the previous year.

� Homeless link – small but significant proportion of A8 migrants are ending up homeless and destitute in London- 2006.