70 PERSPECTIVES ON BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS | VOL 41 | 2023 tions of slow-release antipsychotics despite adverse side effects. Meanwhile, domiciled patients had higher likelihoods of being offered psychotherapy treatments and consultations with social workers even though under the Danish welfare system access should be the same (Nordentoft et al., 1996). At a fundamental level, Danish psychiatric units are ill equipped to provide comprehensive treatment to the homeless, propelling their marginalization. Childhood exclusion Preben Brandt, a psychiatrist who has dedicated more than 23 years to working with the homeless in Denmark, believes that the root of homelessness lies in exclusion (Brandt, 2019). Exclusion often starts from a young age; fueled by a poor family life with substance abuse, domestic violence, or other causes that marginalize children’s needs, it becomes an inescapable cycle. These children often do not integrate well into society as they were never properly socialized. Lacking basic social skills, not knowing how to navigate life, and without existent social networks, it becomes very hard to find and maintain stability. A prolonged homeless status only moves an individual further from society. Brandt adds that doing “simple” tasks like paying rent bills or scheduling and showing up to appointments on time may require more social skills than these individuals possess. Many, even when provided with housing, may be unable to manage it on their own. Homelessness among the youth population rose 102% between 2009 and 2017, which led to a high prioritization of policies to help the youth of Denmark get off the streets. National government aid mixed with nonprofit efforts did decrease youth homelessness by about a quarter within two years after 2017. Nevertheless, despite policies revised to focus on youth, people ages 18 to 29 still comprise almost one-third of Denmark’s homeless (OECD, 2020). Workers in shelters testify to the importance of having a community to lean on, a network of friends to be a support system, and help throughout the process of finding stable housing. Being alone and isolated in personal life drives people out of communities and can eventually push them out of the welfare system. All this is particularly important for Denmark’s youth. Migration The final main source of homelessness is migration, in which people searching for a better life are met with high barriers of entry, ending up homeless. In 2022, Denmark’s top three migrant populations, in descending order, came from nearby Poland, Syria, and Romania. Since then, the Russo-Ukrainian War has generated a new wave of refugees and migrants. Unfortunately, Denmark’s existing procedures for accommodating migrants create barriers to entry, leaving many homeless. Many migrants are EU/ EEA citizens who, thanks to freedom of movement within the EU, have the legal right to stay for three months with a valid passport or national ID card, extending to six months if actively seeking and have a realistic chance of employment. A second category of migrants is third-country nationals with residency permits in other EU countries. These people can stay in Denmark for three months as tourists; however, they may not look for employment until they have work permits, which have high barriers to access (Kirkens Korshær, 2014). Many migrants are not aware of such barriers and imagine an easier life in Denmark, but upon arrival, without finding immediate work, cannot continue to support themselves, ending up homeless and relying on Denmark’s shelters. Migrants deemed illegal with no permit are given no public assistance and instead can only receive care from privately funded organizations like the Red Cross. However, a survey taken by Kompasset, a nongovernmental organization assisting homeless migrants, found many of its clients were given incomplete or false information about their rights, even when taking advantage of the guidance and support that Denmark provides at formal job centers or Citizen Service centers (Kirkens Korshær, 2014). Migrants often leave these centers confused and not registered properly, ill-equipped to achieve stability in Denmark. Denmark’s policies on homelessness While there are holes in the Danish welfare system regarding homelessness, the government has responded to pressure from organizations such as the European Commission and the European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless (Hansen, 2010). Recent policy changes include the Housing First initiative and its revamp, banning so-called insecurity camps, increasing access to shelters, and supporting extra efforts from nonprofits. Denmark’s governmental structure has three levels: central, regional, and municipal. The central level is responsible for national policy. It is also responsible for supervising regional and municipal systems through the Ministry of Social Affairs. There are five regions that decide their structure and or- ganization independently. Each region is made up of municipalities, totaling 98. These local authorities also decide their own structure. The major Housing First policy was crafted at the central level and then
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