Descriptive Study of Roofless People in the Post Soviet Georgia

Homelessness is a complex problem, resulting from a combination of housing and social exclusion processes. This paper discusses the major factors contributing to homelessness in the post soviet Georgia. Though there is no consensus on understanding conceptual typology, the causes and complexity of homelessness, there are currently three categories of homeless people identified as “homeless” in Georgia. Among them so called “Roofless” people are the most vulnerable groups who need special attention while there is no national strategy on homelessness in place.  Mixed methods were used to study homeless people living in a special shelter in Tbilisi. In total, 70 homeless (Mean Age =48, Male – 64%, Female – 36%) were interviewed by semi-structural questionnaire. The results showed that a structural factor - unemployment (90%) is the major cause of homelessness. The other factors include: lack of support system (69%), relationship problems or family breakdown (66%), health problems (64%), mental problems (44%), internal migration (39%), leaving prison (26%), substance abuse (16%). The profile of homeless persons in Georgia is a middle-aged single man; however, the numbers of homeless women, elderly and younger people as well as families with children are growing. Furthermore the paper suggests that understanding the local contexts of poverty can assist government for building the proper national strategy on homelessness and facilitate social inclusion of the most disadvantaged groups of people.