centre for Vulnerable Youth

Sammanfattning: The present thesis explores the wide definition of homelessness and its complexity as a social phenomena. It is a very complex and multidirectional problem linked to individual, interpersonal, and socioeconomic factors. In order to prevent and minimize it and solve the problem in a sustainable, long run, the network of causes and triggering factors have to be found and understood. Often, the existing responses to homelessness are directed towards reactions rather than preventions, even if there are known socio-economic patterns that would trigger the phenomena and affect the social groups that are more vulnerable than others. As a study case, the thesis explains the homeless’ situation in Chisinau, Moldova, where the process of dealing with the problem is prolonged, and affected by old patterns and misconceptions. Based on the lack of information and proper data about the subject, it can be understood that homelessness is of no significant interest to the local and national authorities. As a result of the research, the design proposal comes as a prevention method for vulnerable youth to fall into homelessness and vagrancy. Based on the interviews and available data from the Shelter, 11% of the homeless come from boarding schools and problematic families, resulting in weak family ties, lack of social and working skills, and often choosing misleading ways of dealing with life. The Centre for Vulnerable Youth is aiming to host the vulnerable youth, providing facilities for training and workshops, therapy and family counseling, legal support and education.