73 MARTINDALE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF PRIVATE ENTERPRISE for those staying in their shelters. They want them to build friendships among each other so that they have people to turn to once outside again (Oak Foundation, 2022). The Joanna House is a new specialized center for youth under the age of 18 targeting children who have dropped out of school or experienced violence at home. Opened in 2020, Joanna House has assisted several hundred children, about one-third of whom have experienced some form of homelessness. Children can receive care, food, showers, and beds as well as anonymous rights-based counseling. Beyond providing immediate assistance, Joanna House is spreading awareness and advocating for disadvantaged groups, in hopes that by educating and spotlighting welfare system gaps that affect marginalized groups like homeless youth, more of Denmark’s citizens will push for stronger legislation and policy (Oak Foundation, 2022). These nonprofit organizations are making improvements among the homeless community, focusing on building a reliable network on which these people may rely. Many of these organizations hope to gain more traction and funding through Denmark’s government to extend their efforts. Effects of the homeless policies Apart from decreasing the youth homeless population, attempts to resolve problems in the remaining pathways have not been as successful. Denmark’s Housing First initiative is a high-intensity, immersive social support program targeting individuals with complex support needs; however, of this group, only 11% were included in the implementation. More generally, only 1 of every 20 homeless people was enrolled. Overall, Denmark did not see the anticipated rapid decrease in homelessness from the Housing First program as it did not reach the mass audience, with only 4% of the homeless people in Denmark participating between 2009 and 2015. This left the homeless struggling with substance abuse and with mental illness still fighting for stability. Nevertheless, the homeless situation might have been considerably worse without Housing First, because the program may have partially offset a rapidly increasing shortage of affordable housing brought on by reurbanization trends (Benjaminsen, 2018). Thanks to policies emphasizing on homeless children, there was a dramatic 94% decrease in homelessness for those under 18 within this pathway over the 10-year period from 2009 to 2019. In contrast, those ages 18 to 24 suffered a 62% increase over the decade; however, the trend in the later years, from 2017 to 2019, was a more hopeful 20% decrease. A similar trend was seen for 25 to 29 year olds, with an 85% increase in total for the decade but an 11% decrease relative to the final two years. These statistics show that the policies and organizations providing support for the youth under 18 in Denmark have indeed made progress toward stopping this pathway to homelessness. With focus on youth under the age of 18, older homeless populations suffered, with 52% and 76% increases in homelessness for age groups 50 to 59 and 60+, respectively. With the Housing First initiative only able to secure 1 of every 20 applications a spot in affordable housing and nonprofits focusing on youth, many of the older homeless who suffer from mental health or substance abuse were left to stay in shelters. These shelters are overcrowded and many, specifically migrants, were left on the streets. Although the Housing First program included extra care for those with complex social issues, the program did not reach as many as intended; therefore, many older homeless people still struggle with mental health or substance abuse. Although short-term stability in shelters has provided some with a sense of community and social networks, continued stability upon leaving shelters remains illusory as no real psychiatric treatment is received. Migrants are facing homelessness regardless of the support policies Denmark has enacted. Policies created at a national level apply only to Danish citizens and some of those with residency permits, leaving many newly arrived migrants without any protection. The only programs enabled to support nonresident migrants are run by nonprofit, emergency shelters that are constantly overcrowded and without the means to take in migrants at the rate they are coming to Denmark. In conjunction, Denmark’s current policies and procedures for migrants to quality for residency or working permits create barriers themselves. A residency permit, needed for full access to shelters, may only be received after approval from the Danish Immigration Service in Copenhagen, and up to four to six months if there are no external delays. Non-EU citizens need long-stay visas, including the necessary work and residence permits. Obtaining a visa requires an online fee and a service fee in cash at a bank center. Fees vary, ranging from 1000 to 4000kr. Along with fees, migrants need a passport, travel medical insurance, and a copy of the business license of an em- ploying company or offer letter. Meeting these requirements is unmanageable for many migrants, most of whom come to Denmark in hopes of quickly finding good work and better lives (Work and Residence Permit, n.d.).
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