The role of civil society organizations in protecting the rights of the homeless

Beskućništvo je socijalni problem koji sa sobom povlači niz rizika te je upravo ovoj ranjivoj skupini neophodno osigurati pomoć i podršku u zaštiti njihovih prava. U radu su navedene mjere pomoći i zaštite za beskućnike koje osigurava država putem sustava socijalne skrbi. Međutim, država često ne uspijeva odgovoriti na sve potrebe, stoga se u rad s ovom populacijom uključuju i neprofitne organizacije odnosno organizacije civilnog društva što čini kombiniranu socijalnu politiku. U radu je prikazana uloga organizacija civilnog društva u skrbi za beskućnike s posebnim osvrtom na udruge koje pružaju pomoć i podršku beskućnicima na području grada Zagreba.Homelessness is a social problem that entails a series of risks, and it is precisely this vulnerable group that must be provided with help and support in the protection of their rights. In the paper, the assistance and protection measures for the homeless provided by the state through the social welfare system are listed. However, the state often fails to respond to all needs, therefore non-profit organizations or civil society organizations are involved in the work with this population, which constitutes a combined social policy. The paper presents the role of civil society organizations in caring for the homeless, with a special focus on associations that provide help and support to the homeless in the city of Zagreb