The mechanisms behind homelessness : A thematic analysis of two municipalities definition of homelessness

The construction of homelessness as a social problem is a part of the policymaking amongst politicians when planning and regulating interventions and supply that best suit the public. This responsibility has been bestowed upon the Swedish municipalities as there is no official national homelessness policy. The purpose of this essay is therefore to analyze how municipalities construct homelessness on a policy level. This will be done through at thematic analysis of Stockholm and Umeås action plans against homelessness. In this analysis it becomes evident that the municipalites does not see structural issues that are connected to the housing market as their responsibility, instead people who are structurally homeless are expected to solve their housing situation by themselves