| Summary | "Homecoming of People Living in the Streets via Rehabilitation and Mediation" (HOPE)" The HOPE project aims to identify the psychological, sociological and economic problems of homeless people in a multidimensional way and to develop innovative training modules to address these problems so that homeless people can overcome their current situation. The project took place in four countries, Turkey, Austria, Italy and Hungary and was carried out with 8 partners in total. Sakarya University is the biggest stakeholder of the HOPE project. In this project, Prof. Dr. Yusuf GENÇ, Head of the Department of Social Work, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Sakarya University, has assumed the role of coordinator. Within the scope of the project, literature review and field studies were carried out in order to develop useful services and practices for the homeless, and in the relevant countries; homeless, homeless family members and professionals working with homeless people were reached. The study group of the research includes two different target groups. The first one is the people living as homeless in Turkey, Italy, Hungary and Austria. A total of 100 people were surveyed, including 15 homeless people in Austria, 15 homeless people in Italy, 15 homeless people in Hungary and 55 homeless people in Turkey. The number of people who participated in the survey was determined by the number of people committed within the scope of the project. While determining the number of homeless people to be included in the study group, the fact that the target group is a challenging group in terms of transportation, communication and survey implementation was taken into consideration and a realizable target was set. The other target group of the research consisted of family members of homeless individuals. A total of 300 family members with homeless individuals were reached, 150 in Turkey, 50 in Austria, 50 in Italy and 50 in Hungary. Purposive sampling, one of the non-probability sampling techniques, was used to determine both homeless people and homeless family members to form the study group. In order to reveal the problems of homeless people living in Turkey, Italy, Austria and Hungary, a quantitative research design was utilized. A total of two questionnaires, one for the homeless and one for the family members of the homeless, were created and a field survey was conducted. The data obtained were analyzed separately for each target group and descriptive statistics were presented. Data collection tools consist of two different questionnaire forms prepared by the researchers for homeless people and homeless families. In the preparation of the questions included in the questionnaire form, current literature on homeless people and their families was utilized. In this context; In the questionnaire form for the homeless; questions evaluating many dimensions such as demographic characteristics, the reason for homelessness and pre-homelessness, health, social and addiction status, receiving social assistance and perspective on assistance, attitudes towards social support were included. In the questionnaire form for homeless family members; demographic characteristics, knowledge about homelessness, opinions and attitudes towards homeless people, level of knowledge about services and aids provided to homeless people, approaches towards homeless family members were included. Each questionnaire was translated into the local language of the country where the implementation was carried out. Expert opinions were taken during the translation process and the process was carried out meticulously to avoid loss of meaning and differentiation. After finalizing the data collection tools in terms of language and content, 5 homeless and 10 homeless family members were reached in each country and the functionality and comprehensibility of the questionnaire forms were pilot tested. After the feedbacks were positive, the questionnaire application was carried out for the study group. As a result of the research, it was determined that homeless people are basically faced with housing problems. However, it has been determined that homeless people have difficulties in economic difficulties, family problems, exclusion from society and inability to participate in society, substance addiction, crime, physical and mental illnesses, and it has been determined that the family has an important mediating role in ending the homelessness process and regaining a regular life. While it was observed that family members who could not succeed in becoming a family or who had broken up were more likely to end up on the streets, it was revealed that protecting the integrity of the family or making it important to be a family contributed to the individual's staying in the family and trying to solve their problems within themselves. As a result of the project, the following objectives were realized: • New methods were developed to help homeless people focusing on their social and psychological needs, demands and characteristics. • Innovative training and rehabilitation modules/programs/curricula for homeless people and other target groups were developed. • To ensure the exchange of best practices between partner countries and also other best practices around the world were researched. • Pioneered social inclusion of homeless people through educational clubs and other social activities and conducted public awareness activities in the respective countries. • Homeless people were educated about job opportunities, local labor market, legal issues, public and private aid opportunities and nearby organizations. • These modules/programs/curricula were applied to homeless people, their families and professionals who worked with them over a period of time. The efficiency of the modules was tested. • Mediation was carried out to reconcile between homeless people and their families, paving the way for homeless people to return to their families. • Trainings were given to the professionals working with homeless people and the level of awareness of the professionals was increased. • Under the leadership of Sakarya University Publications, an international book and a scientific article was published in a journal with an international field index. • An e-learning platform was created for the basic vocational needs of the homeless. This platform included videos for homeless people to survive, cope with the challenges of homelessness and meet their needs. These videos contributed to the personal development of homeless people, while facilitating their reintegration into society and their professionalization. |
