Publikationer

Research | Forskning - peer review

In this chapter, we examine the ways in which socio-structural forms—particularly social difference and social policy—frame the reproduction of houselessness and homelessness amongst Greenlanders in Nuuk, Greenland. In addition to examining the forms of marginalization embodied by Greenlanders exper… In this chapter, we examine the ways in which socio-structural forms—particularly social difference and social policy—frame the reproduction of houselessness and homelessness amongst Greenlanders in Nuuk, Greenland. In addition to examining the forms of marginalization embodied by Greenlanders experiencing housing insecurity, we suggest that rising urban homelessness in Greenland represents the social dimensions of resettlement, rural-urban migration and social welfare institutionalization in local processes of urbanization. Moreover, the absence of specific social policy attention towards homelessness in general, and towards marginalized single adults specifically, is especially concerning. This policy gap serves to reproduce rural-urban homeless geographies in Greenland and between Greenland and Denmark, resulting not only in an increasing number of Greenlanders experiencing housing insecurity, but also in institutional geographies of homeless mobility that reflect persistent colonial relations embedded in resettlement and institutionalized social welfare. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Greenland experienced a 5-week lockdown during the COVID-19 crisis. The lockdown effectively took out all public social support and food supply for people experiencing homelessness in the capital Nuuk. This woke up Greenland’s social conscience in the form of a local NGO’s mobilization of voluntary… Greenland experienced a 5-week lockdown during the COVID-19 crisis. The lockdown effectively took out all public social support and food supply for people experiencing homelessness in the capital Nuuk. This woke up Greenland’s social conscience in the form of a local NGO’s mobilization of voluntary social helpers. Luckily nobody in the homeless environment got infected and suffered needlessly. From a social policy perspective, we can take three experiences away from the pandemic. Firstly, a clear learning experience from this crisis was the need to redefine the broad societal understanding of Greenland a country with a universal welfare system. The second experience was that social work comes in many shapes and forms. Finally, the experience illustrated what could take place when the political and administrative system are too slow to react in times of crisis. It kickstarted the civil society step up and help fellow citizens. In the end NGO’s need to reports back and inform the public system to ensure better social emergency response in the future. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

This chapter reviews historical and contemporary processes of state-sanctioned resettlement and urbanization in the Greenlandic context, with a particular focus on the consequences of passive and overt urbanization policies on geographies of homelessness.

Research | Forskning - peer review

Over the past three decades, homelessness has become an area of significant social concern in Alaska, the Canadian North, and most recently, Greenland. These three geographical contexts show both similarities and contrasts, but no effort has yet been made to review the research literature on homeles… Over the past three decades, homelessness has become an area of significant social concern in Alaska, the Canadian North, and most recently, Greenland. These three geographical contexts show both similarities and contrasts, but no effort has yet been made to review the research literature on homelessness from these three regions or to highlight key themes or gaps in current knowledge. We reviewed the literature in order to 1) understand the current state of knowledge of the dynamics of homelessness in Alaska, the Canadian North (here including Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut), and Greenland and 2) conceptualize a northern geography of homelessness. The research literature identifies common themes across these contexts, which include chronic housing insecurity, overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples among those living homeless, and the significance of gendered experiences of homelessness. It identifies key interconnections between hidden homelessness and visible homelessness as the dynamics of urbanization in northern towns and cities reveal the social consequences of chronic housing insecurity in settlements. Across these northern regions, the high rates of chronic homelessness reflect the prevalence of northern housing insecurity and the lack of both adequate, appropriate support for people experiencing mental health or addiction problems and supportive or public housing options. Strategies that aim to diversify housing stock at various critical points along the housing spectrum are needed in northern regions, an idea that is promoted by Housing First and transitional housing programs in Alaska and the Canadian North. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

The paper explores women’s experiences of homelessness in Nuuk, Greenland from a feminist theoretical perspective. By engaging with empirical evidence from an ongoing research project in Nuuk, including ethnographic interviews with support providers and women who identify as homeless, the paper exam… The paper explores women’s experiences of homelessness in Nuuk, Greenland from a feminist theoretical perspective. By engaging with empirical evidence from an ongoing research project in Nuuk, including ethnographic interviews with support providers and women who identify as homeless, the paper examines the contributing factors to and experiences of housing insecurity and homelessness among women in Greenland’s capital city. Furthermore, the literature concerning women’s homelessness in northern Canada and Greenlandic women’s homelessness in Denmark to link the empirical evidence to broader themes of gendered patterns of social service dependency, rural-urban migration and discrimination in northern social policy is looked upon. In this paper it is argued that not only is the public social system in Greenland ill-prepared for the rising number of people without secure accommodation and the related social and health problems in Nuuk, but women are especially sidelined in this policy gap. It is clear from research in other contexts that women are more susceptible to hidden homelessness, and are also marginalized in services for the visibly homeless. In Greenland, and in Nuuk, there are currently no specialized programs for women experiencing homelessness, despite the fact that women’s homelessness is often framed by intimate partner violence, the loss of custody of one’s children, and sexual violence. In the paper it is demonstrated that, among other things, that women’s homelessness and the factors that contribute to it in Greenland are nothing new, and yet remain largely absent in Greenlandic social policy. This oversight continues to marginalize women experiencing homelessness in myriad ways. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

The past three decades have seen the population of Greenland declining, with inhabitants moving to Denmark. Often, they do so in search of work or educational opportunities, while others want better social care and services. In recent years, homelessness has become a significant cause of concern (Ch… The past three decades have seen the population of Greenland declining, with inhabitants moving to Denmark. Often, they do so in search of work or educational opportunities, while others want better social care and services. In recent years, homelessness has become a significant cause of concern (Christensen et al. 2017) with increasing numbers of people living rough, with few shelters, inadequate housing, and arctic weather conditions. During this presentation, the housing situation in Greenland’s capital Nuuk is at focus, and I argue for creating and simulating infrastructure development through enhanced social planning (ESP) to meet demographic challenges. Enhanced social planning involves the regeneration and development of housing areas and communities. When adopted as a mechanism, the concept of social planning can play a crucial role in creating inhabitable communities, affordable housing, thriving economies, social cohesion, and diversity. ESP takes its point of departure in the underlying principles of social justice (equity, access, participation, and rights) and aims to enhance community well-being and effectiveness. ESP involves planning for communities and their inhabitants through deliberate action and policy implementation combined with regional and other strategical activities. Læs mere