What will be the state of homelessness in 2030? The Y-Foundation asked top experts from around Europe – among whom, Nóra Teller of Metropolitan Research Institute. The volume presents a variety of settings and genres, from hopeful to dystopian, pragmatic to idealistic, scientific to literary.
Together with Boróka Fehér, expert of Budapest Methodological Centre of Social Policy, Teller co-authored a dystopian essay of the imaginary locality Donegary (not to be confused with their home country, Hungary). The fictional post-democratic country is proud to be the first country in the world to successfully combat long term homelessness. The country adopted some truly daring measures. It outlawed homelessness. It made sure shelters are not too comfortable, “because we do not want people to think this is their home”. On top, it unleashed “the Purge”, so that perpetrators may be sent to prison, if they refuse to give up their anti-social lifestyle. Donegary’s government bravely withstood attacks from inside and out to realize its revolutionary vision.
And not to worry: this dystopian imagery has no connections to the real world. “The country and the characters in this story are all fictional, any similarities to them are purely coincidental”, the authors reassure.
The volume is available in full through the Y-Foundation’s website, with closing words from Leilani Farha, UN Special Rapporteur on adequate housing.
The Y-Foundation, founded in 1985, is one of the key national developers of the Housing First principle in Finland. It offers affordable rental housing, and fosters public discussion on themes related to homelessness. It is the fourth largest landlord in the country. The Foundation also provides new solutions and knowledge on housing, like employment activities.