Youth homelessness is a reality that affects 6,036 people in Spain. Within this group, migrants face additional challenges that make their situation even more difficult.
Youth homelessness among migrants is a reality that we cannot ignore. According to the INE survey of Homeless People (2022), of the 6,036 people between 18 and 29 years old who go to collective centers or soup kitchens in our country 4,629 are of migrant origin.
Young people who migrate are, on numerous occasions, people who seek better opportunities in other countries, but when they arrive at their destination they encounter various difficulties such as the lack of a network, family and social support, language barriers, racism or an irregular administrative situation. All this, added to the lack of stable economic resources can lead many of them to a situation of homelessness.
"The truth is that there is a future."
Mohamed's story tells us how by giving him a chance to build a future he is able to hope for it. After a long journey through Spain, Mohamed is developing his own life plan, creating networks and searching for a profession that motivates him.
H4Y FUTURE: from the street to the home.
Mohamed found the help he needed through H4Y FUTURO, the innovation program developed by HOGAR SÍ and the Provivienda Association. Through this program of early attention to homelessness, he was able to access safe and stable housing, and receive social support that allows him to generate processes of autonomy. For migrants, it is of vital importance that they have a safe environment where they do not receive discrimination when it comes to accessing housing.
The approach of this project offers an innovative and flexible response that adapts to the different profiles of young homeless people. The project aims totest the suitability of theHousing First for Youthmethodology, with the objective of avoiding the chronification of these situations and achieving the acquisition of a sufficient level of autonomy to maintain a life outside the homelessness care system.
Clara Fuentes, advocacy and communication technician of HOGAR SÍ.
