Psycho-social problems and solution strategies of the homeless people in the context of rights-based social work

The main purpose of this research is to determine the reasons for homelessness, the problems that arise as a result of homelessness experiences, the methods of coping with these problems, and the social policy and social service needs of the homeless and to put forward solutions and suggestions in the context of rights-based social work approach. Qualitative research method and phenomenology design were used in the research. The research population consisted of homeless people living in Kocaeli city and the study group consisted of 30 homeless people who voluntarily participated in the research. In the research, semi-structured interview form was used as a data collection tool and interview technique was used as a data collection technique. The data obtained as a result of in-depth interviews with the homeless were analyzed by descriptive analysis and content analysis techniques. According to the research findings, awareness of rights among the homeless is quite low and their knowledge about the services provided to them is insufficient. Homeless people do not know which institutions they can apply to in case of need. This situation shows that the rights-based social service understanding has not been fully realized in services for the homeless. The most intense feelings and thoughts experienced by the homeless during the homelessness process are uncertainty, loneliness, hopelessness, regret and suicide. Among the structural causes of homelessness, urban transformation, increase in housing prices, unemployment, cost of living and institutional rules come to the fore. Individual causes include family problems, economic problems, health problems and migration. In addition to these, natural disasters such as earthquakes and fires are other causes of homelessness. The difficulties experienced by homeless people are lack of shelter, economic inadequacies, family problems, chronic illnesses, addiction, risks of death/injury, cleanliness/hygiene, multidimensional social exclusion and weakening of spirituality. In addition, difficulties such as institutional rules forcing the homeless, staff attitudes and behaviors, homeless people thinking that they cannot get along with other homeless people, supply of clean clothes and health supplies, lack of service standards between institutions, technical issues and access/transportation are among the difficulties experienced by homeless people in shelters. Expectations of the homeless are personal, institutional and no expectations. Personal expectations include returning to their families, leaving the shelter center, establishing a new order/family. Institutional expectations include regular institutional life, psycho-social support units and professional staff, increasing the quality of health services, regulations on cleaning/hygiene issues and social activities at certain periods. As a result of the research, it can be said that homelessness is a violation of human rights in many dimensions and services for the homeless in Turkey are provided with a traditional and grace-based understanding rather than a rights-based social work understanding. This situation causes the problems of the beneficiaries to become persistent and the social work profession is not professionalized. For this reason, it is necessary to adopt an obligation/responsibility-based understanding in which the state has a duty, the homeless have rights and other stakeholders of the society have responsibilities.