1. MPHASIS 8 May 2009 Review of evidence from Belgium and preliminary findings of the “SILC-CUT” pilot survey Prof Dr. Ides Nicaise & Sebastiano Cincinnato (HIVA-K.U.Leuven)

2. Introduction Extent and profile –Flanders: SAW & Tellus –Brussels: La Strada –Wallonia: Associations des Maisons d’Accueil SILC-CUT –General context & aim –Non-response in EU-SILC –Modifications questionnaire –Approach of target group –Experiences pilot-survey

3. Scope and profile Belgium (FEANTSA): –17.000 roofless and homeless in 2003

4. Scope and profile Flanders -Extent (Resource Centre for General Social Work (SAW)): 7.980 homeless people stayed in night shelters or reception centres 2.335 received an ambulant form of assistance 10.315 in total –Profile (Tellus customer registration system): Characteristic19822007 Women18%33% Young homeless (<30 years)50%52% Homeless 30-50 years31%34% Older Homeless (>50 years)19%14% Non-Belgian origin9%27% Single66% Divorced13%19% No education or only the primary level 44%30% Educated to lower secondary level only 30%23% Rate of employment21%12% Main income from work24%13% Unemployment benefit19%37% Assistance (OCMW)28%18% Debt25%- Source: Van Menxel et al. (2003), Verbinding Verbroken, Steunpunt Algemeen Welzijnswerk, Berchem; Vranken et al. (2008, p.376)

5. Scope and profile Brussels Capital Region (La Strada): –2.766 home- and roofless people in 2008 –Minimum estimation –Heterogeneous group (mothers, undocumented migrants, drugs addicts,…) –Interesting findings: Importance of negotiated squatting Importance of stations as whereabouts Importance of unrecognized shelters

6. Scope and profile Wallonia (Association of reception centres) –18.000 people accomodated in 2006 –55% adult men, 24% adult women, 19% children –Striking facts: Increase number of children Shortage of reception places (14.000 refusals) Lengthening of the average duration of stay Increased complexity (mental health problems)

7. SILC-CUT: general context EU-SILC (Stats on Income and Living Conditions): –Yearly panel survey on EU-level (since 2004) –Different themes: housing, income, social security, health(care), education,… –Poverty rate (15.2% in 2007) –Non- or underrepresentation of certain populations: Itinerant population Home- and roofless people (ETHOS) Permanent campingsite residents Undocumented migrants Asylum seekers and regularized people People in institutions (e.g. prison, homes) –Non- or underrepresentation especially due to: Sampling (i.e. national register) Non-response (i.e. non-contact and refusal)

8. SILC-CUT: aim Identification of non-represented populations Estimation of the magnitude of those populations Survey among specific groups: –Undocumented migrants –Home- and roofless Non-response analysis of EU-SILC

9. Non-response in the EU-SILC Attrition EU-SILC 2004-2005 Non-response prob.: –Age: higher for 25-34 years lower for >64 years (ref= 45-64 years) –Education: higher among low educated (ref=high education) –Household type: lower for couples with kids lower for single parents (ref=couples no kids) –Region: higher in Brussels lower in Flanders (ref=Wallonia) –# incomes from work: larger for households with no income (ref=2 or more)

10. Modifications to EU-SILC questionnaire Income: –Amount –Regularity –(subj.) adequacy –Source (work, social benefits, transfers, other) Housing: –Reference address –Shelter or street –Access to sanitary –Modifications in housing situation

11. Modifications to EU-SILC questionnaire Health and access to healthcare: –Physical and mental health –Healthcare history and access –Alcohol and drug abuse Daily activities: –Employed or unemployed –Type of work –Wage –Duration unemployment –Obstacles

12. Reaching out to the target group Three lines of approach: –Shelters –Reception centres (Inloopcentra) –Streetworkers

13. Pilot survey SILC-CUT Evaluation of selection procedure –11 through shelters, 4 through inloopcentra –13 men, 2 women –18-35 years= 3; 36-50 years= 9; 51-65 years= 3 –Cooperation with organisations: Overall positive Points of interest: –Democratic decision process –Compensation for organisations Compensation –30€ –Point of interest: Agreement with organisation

14. Pilot survey SILC-CUT Evaluation of questionnaire –Positive (participation and completion) –Points of interest: Language Sensitivity/threat Income, housing