The humanitarian crisis related to the significant influx of people looking for a better life has generated a heated debate in Europe over the last few months. One of the main issues which is too often forgotten include the homeless migrants. In fact, due to a lack of familiarity with the new system, difficulties with the language and no family or friends support, migrants and refugees are particularly vulnerable to homelessness.
Kompasset is a project run by our member Kirkenskorshaer in Copenhagen, Denmark, and is aimed to provide homeless migrants with proper advice and information about the Danish system. The project has been counselling homeless migrants for three years thanks to a staff of three full-time employees and approximately 25 volunteers.
Last year Kompasset assisted around 400 people and answered a total number of 3417 inquiries. The main problem for most of Kompasset’s advice-seekers is the search for a better life: a job and housing. Several are also haunted by substance abuse and/or mental health issues. The assistance consists of:
- Advice and counselling on all subjects relevant to the homeless migrants
- Job search and CVs
- Building cooperation bridges between the NGO and authorities
- Complaints re. Violation of rights (employers and police)
- Referrals to relevant partners and authorities
- Accompaniment (to authorities, bank, etc.)
- Motivational talks
- Computer/internet/printing facilities
- Locker storage/postal address service/coffee & tea
The 2015 Kompasset Annual Report shows that the majority of users are Romanian citizens (36%) followed by Spanish citizens (8.3%), and Ghanaian with residence permits mainly from Spain or Italy (7.3%).
The constant number of inquiries confirms not only the need of helping and counselling among homeless migrants in Denmark, but also the increasing success and the reputation of Kompasset and its team.
Here the Kompasset 2015 Annual Report (EN)