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Goddess Amani

Homelessness is a bitter reality of today’s world that exists in all countries, despite their level of economic progress. Leilani Farha, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, expressed her serious concerns to the Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 3, 2016. The existence of millions of homeless people is a result of unfair distribution of wealth and economic inequalities, indicating the failure of governments to respect the human rights of the most vulnerable economic group in society, namely the poor.

Despite the fact that the United Nations has recognized homelessness as a serious human rights crisis and member states have committed to eradicating it by 2030 and promoting sustainable development goals, the reality is that homelessness has been on the rise worldwide. Neoliberal policies and the rise of right-wing forces have undoubtedly posed a major challenge in addressing this issue.

According to the latest comprehensive survey by the United Nations, which was conducted in 2005, there are at least 100 million homeless people in the world. However, today, the housing crisis is considered a serious violation of human rights. Habitat for Humanity estimates that in 2015, there were 1.6 billion people who did not have access to “adequate housing”.

This is a picture of a beautiful sunset over the mountains.
A homeless woman in India – photo by Life.

The majority of the world’s homeless are located in India, including 70 million homeless and 170 million “nearly homeless”. Of this number, 20 million are street children. In China, the most populous country in the world, there are approximately 3 million homeless and 2,000 safe shelters and 20,000 social workers are working to provide social services to the homeless.

One-third of the homeless in China are under the age of 18 or over the age of 65 and suffer from a significant number of physical and mental disabilities. The Chinese government returns many of the homeless who live on the outskirts of major cities and have migrated from their villages, if they are unable to support themselves in the cities and have housing that requires their presence in the job market, to the villages they came from.

In European Union countries, there are also 5.2 million homeless people every year, despite these countries having relatively balanced housing policies.

In America, which has a better situation in terms of collecting statistics related to homelessness compared to European Union countries, according to a report prepared in January 2016, there are 564,708 homeless people who live on the streets, in cars, homeless shelters, or temporary housing. Out of this number, 206,286 are considered part of a family structure and 358,422 are single, with one-fourth of the total being children.

Out of the total number of homeless people, 15% are considered “chronically homeless”. There is a definition for chronic homelessness that is referenced in sociological discussions in America. Chronic homelessness is essentially an individual who has physical and mental disabilities and has experienced homelessness for more than a year, or has experienced four episodes of homelessness within a span of three years, totaling 12 months or more.

8% of homeless people in America are returning soldiers from war, and Washington, the capital of the United States, has the highest concentration of homeless veterans. It is also estimated that 1.4 million returning soldiers are at risk of homelessness. In America, there are also 550,000 young people under the age of 24 who have been homeless for more than a year. (3) Homeless youth are less likely to stay in one place and constantly move from city to city and from neighborhood to neighborhood. They also have a lower sense of homelessness compared to older homeless individuals.

Furthermore, one of the subgroups of homeless people in America – whose numbers are also growing – are young people who have sexual and gender diversity and are considered part of the LGBTQ community. In most cases, they are not accepted by their families, neighborhoods, relatives, and friends, and are subjected to ridicule, harassment, and abuse.

Furthermore, according to the aforementioned report, 50% of the homeless population in America are over 50 years old. This subgroup is a part of the population that faces numerous health issues and is at risk for diseases such as bone fractures, arthritis, and depression.

This vast dimension of homelessness in the world, however, does not reflect the true statistics of those whose human rights are not being fulfilled in terms of having access to housing; because defining homelessness on a global scale is very difficult and homelessness has different definitions in different countries.

In Western countries where institutions of the people, non-governmental organizations, and social research have paid much attention to collecting statistics, national censuses mostly count individuals who spend the night in homeless shelters or use government aid and subsidies for housing. However, even in these countries, including the United States, they are unable to estimate the number of “hidden homeless”.

Those who live under bridges, in parks, inside unfinished buildings, or move from one home’s furniture to another’s, and essentially reside in places that are not suitable for living, are not included in these censuses.

Homeless people also gather in various countries in different places. For example, in Hong Kong, they gather in what is called “cages”, in Israel and Palestine on buses and transport containers, in India and Bangladesh on sidewalks, in Europe on the roofs of buildings, staircases, empty containers, and in Asian, African, Latin American and Eastern European countries, on the streets, in makeshift shelters, cardboard boxes, and cheap tents on the outskirts of big cities. In Iran, they gather in parks, under bridges, in cardboard boxes and makeshift shelters.

It is worth noting that in addition to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which includes the right to housing for individuals, dozens of treaties, declarations, conventions, and other international documents signed by United Nations member states have addressed the right to housing as one of the fundamental and primary human rights. Furthermore, 40 countries have also reflected this right in their constitutions. Therefore, the question arises as to what are the reasons for the increasing trend of homelessness at the global level? Economic and political reasons may shed light on some aspects of this major global challenge.

From an economic perspective, homelessness is a process of unemployment and poverty. We live in a world where the gap between poverty and wealth has increased in every country, and the economic divide between the North and South has also expanded. This issue is considered one of the major global trends and in fact, poverty and homelessness have a close relationship with each other.

In addition to economic reasons, there are also political reasons. With the economic advancement in countries around the world, the value of land also increases and economic elites and capitalists, with the intention of increasing their capital, acquire more land, especially in the best areas with the highest level of environmental quality. Even in third world countries, the most beautiful areas are not immune from being taken over by large domestic and foreign capitalists. As a result, ordinary people, especially hardworking individuals with limited economic resources, are constantly pushed to the outskirts of cities and areas that are less favorable in terms of climate and have cheaper land.

“این عکس یک منظره زیبا از کوهستان است که در آن آسمان آبی و ابرهای سفید پر از نور قرار دارند.”

“This photo is a beautiful landscape of a mountain where the blue sky and white clouds filled with light are present.”
A homeless woman with her child in America – Photo from Reuters.

Since even in Western democracies, the poor and their demands do not hold any weight in political structures and the government does not feel any political pressure from them, there is no political will or determination to respond to the demands of this class. Right-wing forces, not even feeling obligated to maintain the facade of economic democracy, pursue policies that concentrate power and wealth in the hands of capitalists.

Furthermore, pressures from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have also played a role in exacerbating the global housing crisis. Some countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America have appropriate housing policies, but the repayment of large loans from these two institutions and the payment of interest on these loans are major items in the budgets of these countries. The invisible hands of these global institutions are so tight on the economy of these countries that they are faced with the choice of either fulfilling their financial obligations to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, at the expense of their social services budget for their people, including housing, health, education, and other services, or becoming isolated and having no place in the global economy, and subjecting themselves to severe and damaging economic and political processes.

Positive and effective solutions and the role of civil society

In dealing with the challenges of homelessness, European Union countries have advanced social policies in the field of housing. Additionally, some countries in three continents of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, including Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Indonesia, Senegal, Singapore, and Tanzania, have had effective solutions in reducing this crisis.

Studies on homelessness and social research indicate that the most successful policies are those that have been implemented on a smaller scale. It is said that the 21st century is the century of cities and the problem of homelessness is mainly present on the outskirts of major cities around the world. Positive examples of reducing the critical crisis of homelessness have been seen at the city level, not at the national level. In societies where active civil society organizations and dynamic communities have been able to pressure policymakers from the grassroots level, we have witnessed successes.

Of course, political will and desire have played a role in finding a solution for the issue of homelessness, with city officials acting as facilitators rather than suppressors of the people’s demands and requests in the housing sector. Creative collaboration between grassroots and non-governmental organizations with city officials has been one of the key factors in the success of these projects.

The role of media, too, is effective in reflecting the people’s desires and demands for access to adequate and secure housing, and in encouraging urban policymakers to develop responsible political solutions regarding homelessness and human rights.

In many Latin American countries, the poor and homeless have occupied lands and forced the government to respond to their housing needs. In the Philippines, over 100 non-governmental and people’s organizations are actively working to improve the living conditions of slum dwellers, squatters, and those living in cardboard boxes. In fact, the majority of millions of people and citizens who support the right of the poor to have housing are the driving force and main advocates for the human right to housing. On the other hand, with the expansion of the concept of “human rights”, human rights organizations and lawyers are more involved than ever in the struggles of the people for housing.

Civil society organizations have played a significant role in their diverse forms in various countries; from providing temporary housing by churches and religious centers, to distributing food and hygiene supplies to those in need, and even setting up production units that provide single-person tents, heating equipment, clothing, and other daily necessities. These people-led organizations strive to create a bridge for these individuals to return to normal life by offering training courses, assistance in preparing job applications (resumes), or providing suitable clothing for job interviews. They also provide access to post boxes for correspondence related to employment, offer mobile phones for communication for employment, and other measures that can take positive steps towards reducing the crisis of homelessness.

Gender and homelessness

Women across countries around the world are in a disadvantaged economic position. Poverty in the 21st century has a feminine face, and its deep roots lie in power relations and gender inequalities. It is clear that the more gender equality there is, the less women will be affected by poverty and they will be able to achieve a better economic position. Women perform twice as much unpaid domestic work as men; work that only has consumption value and no exchange value. Women also tend to do more seasonal, temporary, and part-time work because these jobs can be organized around their family responsibilities. Women do three times as much part-time work as men in the world.

Furthermore, women have the highest employment in jobs with low wages, and even in high-paying jobs, women around the world are disadvantaged in terms of equal pay and equal opportunities.

For many women around the world, housing is located within the structure of the family, which is referred to as “housing dependency” in the literature of sociology.

In European and North American countries, where the collection of statistics and social research is more extensive, the issue of homelessness among women has been studied more clearly in relation to other social problems and circumstances. In research conducted in the United States in 2010 (by Metraux, Byme, Calhome), the relationship between women, especially those who are released from prison or leave psychiatric hospitals, and homelessness has been clearly established, and the reason is that these women are among the most vulnerable groups in society.

Furthermore, international institutions and organizations working in the field of women’s and homeless people’s rights have confirmed the validity of this matter that:

• Homeless women are subjected to much higher rates of harassment and sexual abuse compared to other women.

• Before they turn to cardboard sleeping situations or even seek help from social service institutions, they turn to their family, relatives, and friends.

• These women endure numerous stresses and nervous pressures, including taking care of children, providing food, educating their children, and providing housing for their families, and even maintaining their own and their family’s health and well-being.

• A high percentage of homeless women come from families with unstable family structures and unhealthy relationships. Addiction, domestic violence, and other issues have damaged the family structure.

Collecting statistics on homeless women or women at risk of homelessness and lacking housing security is very challenging on a global level. Racial and ethnic discrimination, alongside gender-based discrimination, add another layer of issues for women and also for immigrant and refugee women, who make up a significant portion of the world’s homeless population. They suffer from additional layers of suffering from other systems, as they are often unable to access social and economic support systems due to their situation.

Homelessness among women is closely related to poverty, mental illness, substance abuse, and domestic violence, especially in Western countries. In contrast, in countries where gender inequality is more prevalent and women do not have access to legal support, homelessness imposes a heavy burden on them culturally. Many remain in violent marriages because they cannot imagine any other alternative, even in the short term.

There are different definitions of gender when it comes to homelessness, but due to the diversity of structures and clear shadows that socially and economically provide the grounds for women’s homelessness, we must reach a definition that encompasses this diversity. This is important for two reasons: first, women’s homelessness has different indicators than men’s homelessness. And the second reason is that women’s homelessness varies depending on the country they live in. Gender equality, developed or developing countries, and the cultural level of society all have an impact on the level of gender inequality when it comes to dealing with homeless women.

Furthermore, we should not limit homelessness to just women who spend their nights on the streets and in parks. Even in western countries, it is true that homeless women are in the shadows. In a study conducted in Germany on the issue of homeless women, it was found that the image and perception of homeless women, commonly referred to as “Bag Ladies,” who are visible, is actually a small part of the real statistics of homeless women. (5)

With the above considerations, the definition of the European Federation of National Organizations (FEANTSA) working with homeless people categorizes them as follows:

• Without spending the night under a roof (those who are in parks, sidewalks, and other unsafe areas).

• Those who have a place for temporary residence and passage; including shelters for homeless individuals, temporary residences with government subsidies, and so on.

• Those who do not have housing security and are at risk of becoming homeless at any moment. They may be in such a situation due to their inability to pay rent, or they may be women who are exposed to domestic violence and are constantly at risk of being forced to leave their homes.

• Women who have inadequate housing are in places that do not have basic facilities. Access to toilets and hygiene facilities in their living areas is limited and there is high population density.

Although the estimated number of homeless people in the world is between 100 million and one billion (based on the definitions of homelessness), there is no accurate statistic on the number of homeless women. In fact, in addition to cultural reasons, in many countries, anti-women policies and lack of equal rights make even those in power not concerned with gathering accurate statistics on this group.

The cultural concept of “shame” has a double burden on women. In many countries, homeless women endure any circumstances to avoid adopting the identity and processes of homelessness; “No respectable woman becomes homeless.” These were the words expressed by the authorities of Seoul, South Korea after facing pressure from the media for their statements denying the existence of homeless women during the severe economic crisis in many Asian countries in the years 2001-1997.

In America, women make up 22% of the homeless population that can be counted. Alongside America, the number of homeless women is also increasing in countries like Denmark and Germany. In these countries, civil organizations provide support to homeless women and girls in various ways. From providing basic health and nutrition facilities to economic empowerment through internships and medical services for those struggling with depression and addiction. Recently, one of the grassroots organizations in Los Angeles focused on providing hygiene kits to homeless women, and there are also small and large organizations that provide necessary facilities and support for women who have been released from prison to reintegrate into society and live a healthy life. These organizations must create encouraging conditions and positive motivations for these women to be able to return to a normal life.

Homelessness in Iran

In Iran, according to reports reflected in the media, major indicators of homelessness are not far from the trends in other countries. Mohsen Ravash Pezhuh, the director of the Office for Prevention of Addiction at the Welfare Organization, announced that 10 to 15 percent of all cardboard beds in Iran, which according to government statistics are estimated to be 20,000 people, are occupied by women; according to these statistics, there are over 3,000 women living in cardboard beds.

Furthermore, Reza Jahangiri Far, the Deputy of Social Services at the Welfare Organization, has stated that 3% of the homeless women in Tehran, approximately 90 individuals, are pregnant. The Ministry of Health has also reported that the majority of pregnant homeless women, along with their newborns, die due to childbirth in unsanitary environments.

The issue of women’s homelessness, cardboard sleeping, pregnancy, and the death of the mother and her newborn in the social issue of “sterilization” of homeless women, which has recently been the subject of many headlines in Iranian media, has been raised. The discussion, which the Welfare Organization confidently justified in its conversation, stated, “Why should an addicted woman (most of the discussion is about homeless addicted women) be sterilized? She may be addicted today, but maybe in six months or a year, she will quit and seek treatment and return to society and her family and desire to become pregnant and have a child.” Clearly, forced and involuntary sterilization of women, especially as a government policy, is a blatant violation of women’s human rights and their right to control their own bodies.

In reports related to women’s cardboard box sleeping, the deputy of social services at the Tehran Welfare and Social Participation Organization states that in the past eight years, the majority of homeless women and cardboard box sleepers in Tehran belonged to elderly women. He also mentions the dangerous trend of “decreasing the age of women cardboard box sleepers”. This is while the sight of street children in Tehran and other big cities on the crossroads and sidewalks is a heartbreaking image that cannot be ignored.

On June 14, 2016, in an article titled “Sleeping Cart Women, A Full-Scale War for Survival”, we read “I am Ladan, an addict, and for about 21 years I was a cardboard sleeper in Darvazeh Ghar and Haghani Park. During these 21 years, maybe every day or maybe one day in between, the authorities would come and set our belongings on fire. We were very harassed.” Ladan is now 64 years old and has been clean for two years, after being addicted since the age of 6. She has been sleeping in cardboard for 40 years and has a lot of bitter and extraordinary experiences: “The municipality takes the cardboard women to shelters and after a 21-day detox period, they release them and when these women return to the park, they beat them and send them back to the shelters.”

The story of Laden is a symbolic narrative of many cardboard women on the outskirts of major cities in Iran. The cultural burden and societal gaze with negative labels, government pressures, especially on cardboard women, the limited scope of work for grassroots organizations that should be under the government’s cover and grand policies that have gender discrimination in various places, along with cultural burdens and social challenges, blinds the hope of these women for the future. When responsible authorities such as Tehran City Council Vice President, Morteza Talaii, call cardboard women a “virus” and explicitly declare that “people have the right to defend themselves against cardboard women”, it is actually a message that puts grassroots organizations in serious challenges to help the homeless and vulnerable.

It seems that global trends have also had an impact on Iran and this is a warning sign for Iranian society. The decrease in the age of cardboard sleeping to a minimum of 17 years in Iran, homeless families, along with sexual and gender discrimination and the lack of political will and determination to address and control the homeless crisis, disregarding the sexual and gender characteristics of cardboard sleeping women and the belief that the only cause of women’s cardboard sleeping is addiction and ignoring other factors such as poverty and limitations in the job market.

Alongside the violent behaviors in camps (homeless shelters) that have even been reflected in the media, individuals in these camps have thrown themselves from the rooftops to their deaths due to their own violent behaviors and not wanting to live there. This, along with domestic violence and the lack of support systems for these women, causes them to increasingly become victims of violence and relocate to unsafe housing or even the streets. These social challenges in Iran are also rooted in gender power dynamics, lack of democracy and freedom, and gender discrimination in terms of laws and cultural beliefs that have been ingrained in society. In this regard, the women’s movement should pay more attention to the discrimination that harms women in society.

In this multitude of challenges that women cardboard collectors in Iran face, the only hope for a more humane condition for them lies in civil society and grassroots organizations, despite the numerous limitations they face in their activities. Political, cultural, social, and economic structures are all obstacles, but these organizations can still provide better conditions for women cardboard collectors.

Sources:

• The website of the Housing Organization for Humanity.

• Statistical Report on Homelessness in America, January 2016, End Homelessness Website

• وبسایت

  An Overview of Chronic Homelessness, End Homelessness Website, Website

• Doherty 2001; Enders-Dragasser 2010; Mina-Coull and Tartinville 2001; Novac, Brown, and Bourbonnais 1996; Schwartz 2010; Sikich 2008

• Helvie, C., & Kunstmann, W. (Eds.). (1999). Homelessness in the United States, Europe, and Russia: A comparative perspective. Westport, Connecticut: Bergin & Garvey.

  This text is a citation for a book titled “Homelessness in the United States, Europe, and Russia: A comparative perspective” edited by Helvie, C. and Kunstmann, W. in 1999. The book was published in Westport, Connecticut by Bergin & Garvey.

“من به دنبال آرامش و آرامش در زندگی هستم”

“I am in search of peace and tranquility in life.”