earticle

영어

Since the IMF’s bailout of South Korea in 1997, the number of homeless people in Korea has increased both quantitatively and qualitatively, and the Welfare Act for Homelessness was enacted in 2012. The law integrates measures for the existing vagrants and homeless persons and the delivery system therefor, and classifies the homeless facilities by functional status to further specialize and systemize services. However, it is questioned whether this law, which is only in the initial stage, can be realized in the open according to the purpose of the law. In this regard, this study aims to explore the implications of the homelessness system in Northern Europe where the homeless delivery system is well organized, like in Sweden and Finland. Globally, there are two homeless delivery system models. Namely, the Staircase model and the Housing First model. The Staircase model has evolved considerably in Sweden as a system to gradually normalize the functioning of the homeless. The Housing First model provides homeless people with an independent housing space first. Finland is currently receiving national attention for its best practices. Many countries are providing services based on these two delivery system models, and the current trend is shifting from the Staircase model to the Housing First model. Korea is implementing a system close to the Staircase model, albeit in its initial stages, and the Housing First model is not suitable for the realities of Korea. In order for Korea to have a more efficient delivery system, it is necessary to combine these two models to provide services that can secure facilities such as an independent residential space and better meet the needs of the homeless.