Work activity of the homeless

Abstract

The problem of homelessness has been recognized by the Council of Europe. The international legislation provides that owning a home is a basic human right (the European Social Charter of 3 May 1996, Article 31). Signatories to the Charter are required to prevent homelessness and promote social housing. (Wright 2005). The problem of homelessness has been the subject of many studies of Catholic social science. In his message for Lent (1997), John Paul II emphasised the fact that the right to housing is the fundamental right, and a homeless person cannot be deprived of human dignity. The problem of homelessness is a subject of debates and programmes, both at a local and national level (for example programmes of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy). In 1989, FEANTSA (the European Federation of National Organisations working with the Homeless) was created.