A/HRC/54/30 Families experiencing homelessness and children in street situations in Europe have also reported mistreatment or discrimination by health-care professionals.64 A related point is a shortage of adequate emergency or temporary accommodations that meet international human rights standards and of long-term, affordable housing. 65 Groups in vulnerable situations, such as migrants, minorities, including Roma people, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex people, are said to be affected by housing exclusion more than others.66 In addition, many are also not aware of available services, as they lack access to accurate and adequate up-to-date information on public services67 or have limited capacity to claim the social assistance to which they are eligible.68 43. Even where such services are available, there are practical issues which must be addressed. It has been reported, for example, that services provided to persons experiencing homelessness, including children in street situations, are often not of a high standard or quality. In this regard, many publicly and privately run shelters and social protection centres are constantly understaffed and underresourced, and some assistance, such as cash transfers or income support, are regarded as insufficient. 69 Health care for persons experiencing homelessness is also often of a poor quality, and payments are required to receive medical services in various parts of the world, creating a significant obstacle in access to health care. 70 44. Another challenge is the financial exclusion of persons experiencing homelessness. Many such persons do not have access to bank accounts, credits and other financial products and services, due to the requirements for a postal address and identity documents, as well as the high fees charged by financial institutions, effectively preventing them from receiving cash and other benefits.71 A lack of knowledge about financial systems and their entitlements undoubtedly serves as another obstacle. An added dimension is the digitalization of public services and financial transactions spreading across the world. This puts persons experiencing homelessness in a disadvantaged position, as many are excluded from digital technology. A recent study in the United Kingdom, for example, found that access to the Internet is limited for many persons experiencing homelessness for various reasons, despite the fact that many of them possess smartphones.72 45. It is also difficult for persons experiencing homelessness to find decent work, which significantly increases the risk of labour and sexual exploitation. A lack of education or qualifications, as well as other factors, such as mental or physical impairments and substance abuse, may discourage employers from hiring them. 73 Even if they are able to find 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 10 European Commission, “Homeless children and young people: a review of interventions supporting access to healthcare services” (2021). Submissions from the Office of the Ombudsman of Argentina, the Cepaim Foundation, Polaris and Pourakhi Nepal; and Economic Commission for Europe, “Housing for migrants and refugees in the UNECE region: challenges and practices” (2021). Submissions from the Association Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII, the Mercy Foundation, the Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent and European Roma Grassroots Organisations Network. Submission from the Government of Lithuania and consultations with stakeholders in Australia. For in-depth discussions surrounding social protection, see A/HRC/50/38. Anti-Slavery International, ECPAT UK International and Pacific Links Foundation, “Precarious journeys”; Crisis and Against Violence and Abuse, “Interim report: evaluation of project TILI” (2021); Star Zólyomi et al., “Mapping trends and policies to tackle homelessness in Europe: a holistic approach to measuring homelessness based on practices of ten European Union countries”, European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research, (2021). European Commission, “Homeless children and young people”; and Jonathan Hopkins and Manjulaa Narasimhan, “Access to self-care interventions can improve health outcomes for people experiencing homelessness”, British Medical Journal, vol. 376, No. 8331. Consultations with stakeholders in Australia; submission from Polaris; and European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless, “Homeless services provide solutions to ensure homeless people are financially included in increasingly cashless societies” (January 2022). Vanessa Heaslip et al., “How do people who are homeless find out about local health and social care services: a mixed method study” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2022). Homelessness Policy Research Institute of the University of Southern California, “Homelessness and employment”, literature review, (April 2020). GE.23-12640