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Hungary and Homeless – Hungary
In recent decades Hungary has transformed from a communist regime to embrace a free market economy. While many have benefited from the change, some have suffered under the pressures of this new economic environment. Homelessness, an issue never recognised in the country before, is now rising. However, one of the firms to benefit from private enterprise in Hungary is using its corporate money to back a scheme that helps those who are less fortunate to get back on their feet.
Housing Conditions in Hungary
Under communism everyone had a job and a roof over their head. But with a free market economy things changed. During the economic transition many people became unemployed, and the condition of state-owned housing deteriorated. By the late1980s, worsening economic conditions had led to high unemployment levels and the press began reporting on the noticeable numbers of beggars and homeless people on the streets of Budapest.
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| Homeless people in the Budapest subway. |
Homelessness in Hungary
In Hungary there are about 30,000-50,000 homeless people who mainly shelter in doorways, abandoned building sites, or railway stations. Cold winters are particularly difficult: in January 2001, for instance, 26 people froze to death. Nearly half the homeless population and 50 per cent of the shelters – temporary or permanent dormitory-style accommodation for homeless people – can be found in Budapest.
In 2005 the Hungarian government spent 500 million Hungarian Forints (HUF) – approx. £1,350,000 – to help homeless people, providing 7,500 permanent shelters and around a thousand temporary ones, soup kitchens, day centres and health support. Roughly half of the country's homeless have regular contact with social workers, but many mistrust this service and turn down the help. Overcrowding, and the difficulty of adapting to shared accommodation, means that some people do not use the shelters. |
In Budapest there are estimated to be 25,000 homeless people. They face many difficulties, ranging from physical vulnerability and social isolation through to ill health. They depend on temporary accommodation, such as the Crisis Hospital, but not having a permanent address makes it difficult for them get work and lift themselves out of poverty.
A scheme initiated by the Diotores Foundation and supported by the Vodafone Hungary Foundation is breaking this vicious circle by helping them get back into society. Working with the Crisis Hospital for the Homeless the project works to reintegrate homeless people into mainstream society.
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| The Crisis Hospital for the Homeless in
Budapest. |
As well as accommodation, Crisis Hospital for the Homeless offers medical support, such as dental surgery and vaccinations, and during winter provides clothing and blankets.
Charitable Foundations
The Vodafone Hungary Foundation, an independent charitable trust, was established in 2003 at the initiative of the Vodafone Group. The Group has set up foundations in every country where there is a Vodafone operating company. The objective is to make a difference to the lives of individuals through programmes that support the sick, the needy and the disadvantaged, especially children. In practice, they tend to work with NGOs to help the homeless, the physically and mentally disabled, and the socially disadvantaged. They provided HUF 3,181,400 (£9,000) to support the homelessness project.
The Diotores Foundation, established in 1997, supports people, particularly the young, who through lack of a comprehensive state welfare network (e.g. health, social services and education) face lifelong homelessness and marginalisation.
The Crisis Hospital for the Homeless, started in 1989, supports the homeless in the streets of Budapest. Each year around 35 doctors, nurses, social workers help them by providing shelter, food, medical assistance and support with long term housing. |
Homelessness Project
As homelessness is quite a recent phenomenon in Hungary, most people were unsure how to deal with the situation. Government approaches have tried to tackle the problem, but shelters do not provide a long-term solution. The aim of this project was to encourage participants to move on from homelessness, through a supportive environment, to lead independent and responsible lives.
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| Homeless people can suffer from a range of problems including alcohol and drug abuse, making their lives on the streets even harder. |
The project is open to eleven couples living in long-term marriages or common-law marriages who, due to restrictions in homeless institutions, are forced to live separately (normally the only alternative is to stay in the streets together). There is also one flat available for three single people who are ready to move to a shared accommodation together. In total twelve flats are available to be let out to homeless people on a yearly basis. The Ministry of Health, Social and Family Affairs also supports rental assistance for another 25 homeless people, so in total 50 people benefit from the project.
To qualify for the project, the participants have to commit to:
- Keeping at least three months regular connection with the Crisis Hospital.
- Securing a regular income to ensure they could keep the flat for a longer rental period.
- Having the ability to maintain an independent way of life with this kind of assistance.
- Liaising with their social worker, who supports them during their participation in the project.
Before participants move to a flat a joint care agreement is arranged between them and the institution. This outlines the obligations of the tenants and confirms the assistance that social workers will provide. This agreement also includes the pre-saving obligations of the participants – they must be able to save HUF 80,000 (£220) by the time they move into the flat. This sum, two months’ rental fee, is similar to a security bond that would be asked for in the general housing market. It will be given back to them when they move out – and can then be used as a deposit for another flat.
Finding Employment
The government has several measures to help people to gain employment, such as work placements, job-clubs, personal development courses, communication training, skills training and support schemes to help them become self-employed. |
Once the tenants have moved into the flat, an ‘aftercare contract’ is signed to fix the rights and obligations of the parties. This includes a sub-rental contract with the tenants to agree the number of people living in the flat, the rules of the house, payments of operational and maintenance costs of the flat, and the duration of contract. The aim is gradually, month by month, to decrease the amount of assistance provided by the project, and increase the contribution of the tenants to the rental fees from their savings.
Social Support
Homeless people living in the streets or in shelters often forget about the normal skills and techniques needed for everyday social relations in real life. The participants require a lot of support to enable them to cope with their new situation. Constant supervision, social care and support are offered on such things as housekeeping, budgeting, social relations or solving crisis.
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| This couple were previously homeless, but are now successful participants in the project. |
Gradually they learn to take on responsibility for themselves and become independent by paying bills, looking after the property, taking part at meetings of tenants and most of all by taking over the rental costs. As their rental term nears its end the participants could sign another contract to stay for another year, or if they now feel more confident they could rent another flat using the two months’ security bond they get back once their rental period expires. Although they will have gained the skills and techniques to lead an independent, successful life, should the need arise they are encouraged to get back in touch with their social workers.
Through this help with housing and finding employment, homeless people can find independence and a chance to move forward with their lives.
Acknowledgements
Hands On would like to thank Emese Batki, from Vodafone Hungary, for her help in putting together this case study.
Participating Organisations
The Vodafone Group Foundation
Vodafone House
The Connection
Newbury
Berkshire RG14 2FN
UK
E-mail: groupfoundation@vodafone.com
Website: http://www.vodafonefoundation.org/1.0.html
A dedicated page for the Vodafone Hungary Foundation is at http://www.vodafonefoundation.org/hungary.html
For more information about the homelessness project contact:
Henrietta Magyar, Administrator
1062 Budapest, Váci út 1-3
Hungary
Tel: +36 1 288 4320, +36 1 288 4446
Fax: +36 1 288 4385
E-mail: foundation.hu@vodafone.com
Diotores Foundation
H-1077 Budapest
Jósika u. 24
Budapest
Tel/Fax: +36-1- 413-6517
E-mail: artemisz@artemisszio.hu
Website: http://www.artemisszio.hu
Ministry of Health, Social and Family Affairs
Arany János u. 6-8
Budapest, H-1051
Tel: +36-1-3017800
Fax: +36-1-3020925
E-mail: webmester@eum.hu
Website: http://www.eum.hu/eum/eum_angol.main.page
Further Information
FEANTSA, the European Federation of National Organisations working with the Homeless
194, Chaussée de Louvain
1210, Brussels
Belgium
Tel: +32 (0)2 538 66 69
Fax: +32 (0)2 539 41 74
E-mail: freek.spinnewijn@feantsa.org
Website: http://www.feantsa.org/
Reference
Joint assessment of the employment policies priorities of Hungary. European Commission and the Government of Hungary, 2001
http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/
employment_analysis/japs/hungary_en.pdf
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