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Stefan Ohnmacht from BAWO (Bunderarbeitgemeinschaft Wohnungslosenhilfe), a federal umbrella organization of homeless support groups, explains that the group of migrants who isn’t entitled to social benefits is very broad and is not only limited to undocumented people. It also includes immigrants without work permits and/or legal residence, immigrants with work permit and legal residence who have not been/have not worked long enough periods, and asylum seekers who have not been acknowledged under the Geneva Convention. Even nationals from others Austrian states than the one they are in aren’t officially allowed to benefit from the help of publicly funded shelters. All publicly funded shelter organizations are expected to report their clients’ data to the social services. Although some do offer shelter to the above-mentioned excluded groups, it isn’t in their interest to say they’re doing so because it may endanger their subsidies.
Homeless vs Houseless
Distinctions aren’t generally made in night shelters
that as an emergency service ask for a small contribution from the homeless
persons (either from their social benefit or some other source). However
homeless shelters are often not willing to welcome undocumented migrants due to
the causes of their homelessness as well as several of their problems usually
being completely different to those of other homeless people. Also difficulties
arise in shelters due to foreigners often not being accepted by the other
homeless, many of which are elder men with alcoholic problems who don’t show
much respect towards immigrants.
Church
Undocumented migrants certainly have easier access to Church organizations than publicly funded ones. Caritas Vienna has two separate housing projects (which in total sum up to around 450 places in both shelters and supported housing), one for the national homeless and another for refugees (including undocumented). It officially shelters undocumented migrants.
Vulnerable groups
In women’s shelters, racism towards immigrants tends
to be less of a problem due to homeless women accepting the presence of migrants
more easily than men. Another criteria facilitating women’s access to shelters
is that, like in The Netherlands, women’s shelters are sometimes in contact
with organizations fighting against women’s trafficking and provide
accommodation to women who have been victims of trafficking. Thus women
generally have easier access to shelters, although these are fewer then men’s
shelters.
It would also seem that exceptions are made for
undocumented minors in youth emergency shelters. The regional youth authority is
responsible for taking care of all minors in Austria, including those with no
legal status in the country. However, not all local authorities take their legal
responsibilities seriously and don’t house all undocumented minors in their
region.