An Assessment of the Effectiveness of Homelessness Policies in Iran

This Article tries to assess the efficacy of the policies concerning homelessness in Iran. Alongwith analyzing laws, through a case study we have investigated documents and statistics of ahomeless shelter, and finally the profile of one homeless case to assess the effectiveness of thepolicies. Findings show that there are serious shortages in policies regarding homelessness.These few laws are not enacted correctly and they are not effective in reality and can’t helphomeless people to get out of homelessness circle. The laws have no principled conception ofhomelessness and have not conceptualized the steps of combating homelessness clearly. Also,the institutions and organization which must participate do not participate completely. So, theresults are poor and the homeless people remain in a vicious circle. Regarding the growingtrend of homelessness in Iran, to act effectively it is necessary to study different aspects ofhomelessness in Iran and to consider the successful experiences of other countries, and onthe bases of these considerations and investigations make comprehensive laws and policies inthe level of parliament in a way that steps and chains of action against homelessness, tasks ofdifferent institutions and sources for action clearly defined and can be monitored.