The invisibility of homeless women in Spain

Authors

  • Paloma Fernández-Rasines Universidad Pública de Navarra
  • Tamara Gámez-Ramos Fundación Xilema

Abstract

The ETHOS definition, which consensus was established in Europe during the year 2008, has allowed the incorporation of new homelessness categories that go further than only roofless situations which affect mostly men. This study allows unveiling how women, in the Spanish case, significantly appear suffering insecure living. A new approach from a gender view comes from this new female representation in homelessness. This research uses quantitative and qualitative analysis having a cross-disciplinary perspective from social work and public policy. As a result, we offer making women visible both as object and subject of research. We also pose a quantification of female users on alternative housing services for a total of 40 programs in Pamplona's Metropolitan Area. Along with this, those women experiences have been dealt through ethnographic method, biography, interviews and focus groups.

Keywords:

homelessness, ETHOS typology, homeless women, gender, Spain