Interventions for homeless persons : An analysis of social services and Stadsmissionens work in the municipality of Kalmar

This study aims to examine how the interventions for homeless persons in the municipality of Kalmar are organized. The study is based on four half-structured qualitative interviews with both representatives from different instances and also from persons who have experience of being homeless. The theoretical bases we have used to analyze the material are organization theory, specifically the concept of bureaucracy. Our results show that homelessness is not seen as a problem in itself, since the general view is that homeless people often have a complex problem scenario where drug- and alcohol abuse and mental illness are common. It is often the latter that takes priority in the interventions and the housing question is therefore neglected. We also found that social services do not have a satisfactory structure around the organization of the work on homelessness. They do not have any specific device in Kalmar that focus on homelessness issues with the result that the existing units are forced to take care of the work of homelessness. This represents a problem as the interventions are being adapted to this area of specialization with the result that the housing issue is overlooked. Another conclusion is that there is a lack of long-term solutions in the municipality. Today the efforts are mainly aimed at placing homeless people in short-term temporary accommodation