Structurally addressing homelessness through coordinated social infrastructure and services in neighbourhoods

What is this call about?

The topic funds the development and validation of a system-based approach that coordinates healthcare, education, employment and other social services at neighbourhood level to tackle homelessness. The approach is to be validated in at least five neighbourhoods.

What does this call fund?

Scope

The topic belongs to the call "Beautiful, inclusive and sustainable neighbourhoods for communities". Based on 2024 data, over 1.2 million people are estimated to experience homelessness in Europe. Beyond housing-led approaches, the structural causes of homelessness call for coordinated social infrastructure and services in neighbourhoods, covering healthcare, employment, education, community integration and other social services.

What proposals are expected to do

Develop a system-based approach that coordinates key social infrastructure and services at neighbourhood level to reduce homelessness and support reintegration. The approach is to cover at least:

• analysis of the local context and built environment in terms of access to social infrastructure and services, particularly for chronically homeless and vulnerable groups;
• assessment of links between infrastructure and service design and the degree of homelessness;
• strategies to overcome coordination challenges such as fragmented data, siloed services and funding for scale-up;
• the views and ability of homeless groups to engage with and benefit from the services;
• impacts on community integration, well-being, social cohesion and sense of belonging;
• socioeconomic impact measured through indicators on access to and use of services;
• recommendations for applying the approach in other neighbourhoods.

The approach is to be developed and validated in at least five neighbourhoods in different Member States and/or Associated Countries.

Expected outcomes

• Evidence on the social infrastructure and services needed to address homelessness at neighbourhood level, made available to stakeholders.
• Better availability and accessibility of key social infrastructure and services for homeless groups in the targeted neighbourhoods.

Approach

Projects are expected to be participatory and transdisciplinary, with an effective contribution from social sciences and humanities. Synergies with projects under the related topic on housing-led approaches to homelessness are encouraged. At least 0.8% of the budget is expected to go to engagement with the New European Bauhaus hub for results and impact.

When is the deadline?

1 December 2026 (26 days)