About homelessness : Social workers about a social problem in two municipalities

The aim of this study was to illuminate how social workers in social services work with the social phenomenon, homelessness in two municipalities. The study is based on qualitative semi-structured interviews with interviewees from a department of social services. Our theories that we used was resistant inequality, structural discrimination, exclusion, empowerment and representation. After compilation of our empirical our conclusions are that homelessness is a complex phenomenon. Social workers handles homelessness based on client’s needs and the work is individualized. There are no specific plans or guidelines. Homelessness is integrated in the organisation. The responsibility lies mainly on the individual to find housing. One other conclusion is that the landlords and housing are the largest affiliates to the social services regarding homelessness. The social workers work to prevent evictions by grants rent arrears because the housing market is the biggest problem. It’s a growing problem in both municipalities.