Homeless women’s path towards social inclusion: an analysis of social housing models in Italy

Homelessness represents a growing phenomenon and a serious violation of the right to adequate housing. The recent urban modernisation, the organisation of sporting events and the frequent migration flows have worsened the housing situation, which have become one of the main obstacles hindering the enjoyment of other fundamental human rights. The permeability of human rights is relevant in this context, where the right to a decent standard of living, the right to life, the right to health and the right to social security are threatened if the right to adequate housing is not guaranteed. Housing deprivation disproportionally affects women, who because of their gender suffer from multiple marginalisation. The study analyses the specific conditions of women whose right to adequate housing is violated. Focusing on the main patterns identified in female homelessness, the research aims at understanding which are the housing solutions that can trigger a meaningful change in terms of social inclusion. First, an analysis of the legal framework protecting the right to adequate housing at the different levels of governance is proposed to give a background on the existent instruments and whether they are correctly implemented. Secondly, the main profile of homeless women is identified using intersectionality theory, which implies the manifestation of multiple marginalities affecting the subjects studied, among which a migration background, gender-based violence and motherhood. The argument of the research, namely the need of solutions promoting housing autonomy and discouraging a welfarist rhetoric, is stated in the last chapter. Here, the focus on the Italian case is corroborated using semi-structured interviews to social workers conducted in the city of Padova, representing a small but relevant sample for the sake of the thesis.