Advocacy and legal aid for homeless people. Challenges and insights from a study of voluntary organisation in Italy

Datos Bibliográficos

ID6423809
AutoresMaria Chiara Pedroni (0000-0003-2858-7061, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, autor de correspondencia)
Año2024
Volumen28
Número2
Páginas366-378
Fecha de publicación2024-07-17
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaEuropean Journal of Social Work (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1369-1457 • E-ISSN: 1468-2664
EditorialTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13691457.2024.2377782
OpenAlexW4400737132
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas26

The connection between homelessness, social exclusion, and the deprivation of fundamental rights has been extensively studied. The intricate interplay of laws, policies, regulations, institutions, and service practices forms a complex network of mutually reinforcing factors, that can pose a significant challenge to the homeless. This article presents the findings of a qualitative study focused on the Italian nonprofit organisation called 'Street Lawyers' (SL) which provides legal assistance and advocacy for homeless people. Due to social exclusion, homeless experience daily violations in exercising their rights and encounter many obstacles within the welfare system. The aim of the research was to investigate how SL's mission is implemented, what needs are met and the complexity of their interventions. The findings demonstrate how, despite the organisation's legal mandate, SL face various difficulties and needs that emphasise the hardships experienced by the homeless people. These issues extend beyond the legal sphere and offer insightful perspectives on the trajectories and support system of the homeless. By revealing the obstacles homeless people face in claiming and enjoying their rights, the article shows the potential of this legal aid practice, particularly when it goes beyond a formal legalistic approach and embraces a socio-political interpretation of rights

Management · Political science · Public relations · Sociology · Turnover · Voluntary association · Voluntary sector · Homelessness and Social Issues · Housing, Finance, and Neoliberalism · Law · Public Administration · Social Work Education and Practice · Social Work