How to Approach Homeless People? We Analyse, Interpret and Propose Solutions!
One of our directions is homelessness research. We have devoted a total of three research projects to it in recent years. Homelessness in the Czech Republic arises from a combination of two causes - individual and structural. Simply put, the Czech homelessness is caused by the "cheap assembly plant" economy, which keeps wages low for a long time, supported by a low minimum wage and a low subsistence minimum. As a result, homelessness in the Czech Republic takes shape primarily at the intersection of poverty and debt.
Although homeless people encounter negative public attitudes and prejudices that are also a barrier to the integration of individuals into society, it appears that the public is in favour of the city helping individuals. The research is also just trying to break down those stereotypical public perceptions that the homeless are a clearly demarcated group who are responsible for their own situation and, for example, that most homeless people are drug addicts and alcoholics. The very classification of how to identify the "homeless" is complicated, highly intuitive and often based on stereotypes. We usually make judgments based on appearance, and so does the public and, in fact, some organisations. Most often, then, a homeless person is an elderly, bearded man whose appearance and odour perceptions of the outside environment lead to the assumption that he is homeless. Do you recognise a homeless person? Try here.
The most up-to-date research from 2021 was the basis for the concept of work with homeless people, which was unanimously adopted by the city councillors. At the same time, this research was communicated to the wider public through an exhibition installed in Šafařík Gardens, which is linked to the website www.bezdomovectvi.cz.
DO YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE?
If you are interested in the topic of homelessness, you can visit here:
MEDIA RESPONSE
CONTACT OUR RESEARCHERS
The topic of homelessness is addressed by:
Prof. PhDr. Jan Váně, Ph.D. – vanejan@rek.zcu.cz
PhDr. František Kalvas, Ph.D. – kalvas@rek.zcu.cz
If unsure, please contact us via:
Department of Sociology and Social Work