The aim of this initiative is to de-escalate conflicts and prevent young people from becoming homeless long-term due to the loss of supportive relationships. The project specifically targets situations where restoring contact or dialogue between young people and their network (parents, family, friends) is possible and desired. Participation in the guidance is always voluntary for both the young people and their social circle.
Safety is central to the approach. If restoring contact or returning to the family situation is deemed unsafe, the guidance will be adapted or not initiated. The program involves several phases, starting with conversations with the young person and their network to discuss expectations, explore motivation, and assess safety risks.
Subsequently, the guidance focuses on improving mutual communication, fostering understanding, clarifying expectations, and making future arrangements. The ultimate goal is to create a stronger and more stable support network around the young person.
Through this pilot project, the city of Antwerp aims to address the root causes of homelessness and prevent young people from facing long-term housing instability due to a lack of a support network. By focusing on sustainable solutions and tackling relational conflicts, young people are given a better chance at a stable future.
“"Practice teaches us that prevention is better than cure. Just as with our call for working homeless individuals, we want to prevent an acute situation of homelessness from escalating into a long-term problem, often leading to other issues. That's why we intervene as early as possible. If the situation at home is safe, we try to restore that home environment and provide the young person with the stability and support needed to move forward."
