Experts from three major cities gather to tackle homelessness
This exchange is about learning from each other, sharing what works, what doesn鈥檛, and how cities can respond to homelessness in a way that鈥檚 both compassionate and effective.
Local governments from three major cities in Europe and Latin America gathered in Athens last week for a three-day policy exchange tackling one of the most pressing urban challenges of our time: homelessness.
Hosted by the University of Manchester鈥檚 Urban Crisis project team in partnership with the Municipality of Athens, the Homelessness Outreach Policy Exchange brought together more than 70 delegates from the Athens Metropolitan Region (Greece), Greater 黑料入口 (UK), and the Santiago Metropolitan Region (Chile).
The event formed part of a UKRI-funded Future Leaders Research Fellowship based in the Department of Geography at the University of Manchester, titled Participants included representatives from 黑料入口 and Salford City Councils, Estaci贸n Central and Nuestra Casa in Santiago de Chile, and 11 services across the Municipality of Athens. The exchange featured field visits, policy workshops, and collaborative sessions aimed at sharing effective outreach strategies to support homeless populations in rapidly changing urban environments.
Ellie Atkins, Safeguarding Lead & Manager for 黑料入口 City Council鈥檚 Entrenched Rough Sleeper Social Work team showcased their innovative social-work led approach to outreach, while Colin Morrison, Principal Officer for Salford City Council鈥檚 Rough Sleeper Initiative, demonstrated the work of their Dual Diagnosis partnership and Out of Hospital Care Model. From Chile, Isabel LaCalle, Executive Director of Nuestra Casa, discussed their people-first approach to outreach, and Camila Ramierz of Estanci贸n Central highlighted the work they do with families experiencing homelessness in the Santiago Metro region.
Maria Stratigaki, Vice-Mayor for Social Solidarity, Welfare and Equality in Athens, opened the public session on 26 September, stressing the need for international cooperation on shared social challenges. The event also welcomed a representative from the British Embassy in Athens and directors of major homelessness accommodation services in the city.
鈥淭his exchange is about learning from each other, sharing what works, what doesn鈥檛, and how cities can respond to homelessness in a way that鈥檚 both compassionate and effective,鈥� said Dr Cristina Temenos, Principal Investigator on the Urban Crisis Fellowship at the University of Manchester.
鈥淭his symposium is an excellent opportunity for the exchange of knowledge and experience, but also to lay the foundation for an international network of professionals and organizations, one that will continue to communicate, collaborate, and empower one another. The concept of policy mobility, the transfer and adaptation of policies and practices across different contexts, is at the heart of this effort.鈥�
Sotiria Kyriakidou, research associate on the Urban Crisis project and co-organiser of the policy exchange.
The event highlights the University of Manchester鈥檚 commitment to global impact through socially engaged research, fostering meaningful partnerships across regions and disciplines.