Poželjni modeli socijalnog uključivanja osoba u beskućništvu: perspektive stručnjaka

Abstract

The significant social, political, economic, and technological changes in recent decades have brought about numerous social risks, to which the welfare state and the social welfare system are finding it increasingly difficult to provide adequate responses and solutions. These changes and processes have also resulted in social exclusion of a growing number of people, which, in its most extreme form, manifests among the people experiencing homelessness. This paper analyses the results of 14 semi-structured interviews conducted with experts – representatives of public and civil institutions and organizations involved at various levels in addressing the problem of homelessness in Croatia – focusing on their views on desirable models of social inclusion for homeless individuals. The results of the thematic analysis indicate a consensus among experts that social inclusion should be based on the principles of an individual approach, communication, and empowerment; that traditional shelters are generally considered an undesirable model of social inclusion; knowledge of, but not prioritization of innovative models of social inclusion; and, along with housing provision and work integration, the simultaneous importance of meeting the cultural, social, and spiritual needs of homeless individuals. The paper highlights the coherence of views among different social service providers as an important element in social inclusion of vulnerable social groups and a prerequisite for the further development of the concept of integrated social services and welfare mix in Croatia.