COMHOM
Pioneering data-driven solutions to combat homelessness across Europe
Homelessness is one of the most pressing social challenges in Europe today, affecting at least 895,000 individuals across a growingly diverse demographic. Families, women, young people, migrants, and individuals in precarious employment now find themselves increasingly vulnerable. Despite progress in adopting rights-based and housing-led approaches, gaps in systematic monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks hinder the effectiveness of homelessness services. Addressing these challenges, the COMHOM project emerges as a transformative initiative that seeks to improve the quality, cost-efficiency, and personalisation of services for the homeless population.
Homelessness: A European policy priority
The European Union has underscored the importance of combating homelessness, enshrining this commitment in the European Pillar of Social Rights and the European Platform on Combating Homelessness. The increasing prevalence of homelessness, exacerbated by economic pressures and the housing crisis, demands innovative and collaborative responses. Effective solutions must bridge gaps in housing and welfare systems, ensuring a comprehensive approach that integrates housing-first strategies with robust data-driven methodologies.
COMHOM aligns with these priorities, aiming to harmonise methodologies across EU Member States while addressing structural inefficiencies through the use of technology and innovative practices.
Introducing the COMHOM project
Launched in January 2025, COMHOM is a three-year initiative funded by the European Social Fund (ESF). The project focuses on transforming the way homelessness is tackled by leveraging data, digital tools, and a standardised M&E framework. Its overarching goals include:
- Developing a comprehensive M&E framework that harmonises methodologies and facilitates evidence-based policymaking.
- Creating digital tools, including a data lake, AI models, and a centralised platform, to improve decision-making and resource allocation.
- Enhancing capacity through training and mentoring programs for service providers.
- Supporting innovative practices through social experimentation, involving sub-grants to European homelessness response organisations.
- Generating policy recommendations to guide EU-wide efforts in combating homelessness.
By addressing the fragmentation of homelessness services and fostering collaboration, COMHOM aims to set new benchmarks for efficiency, innovation, and effectiveness.
A consortium of expertise
The COMHOM consortium brings together a diverse group of partners with extensive experience in social services, research, and digital transformation. Led by Sant Joan de Déu Serveis Socials Barcelona (SJD) and affiliated entity Fundació Sant Joan de Déu in Spain, the consortium includes Value for Health CoLAB (Portugal), Metropolia University of Applied Sciences (Finland), Social IT (Italy), Chino.io (Italy), Simon Communities of Ireland (Ireland), PRAKSIS (Greece), Sant Joan de Déu València (Spain), and the European Social Network (Belgium). Associated partners, including FEANTSA, Y-Foundation, and SMES Europa, also play a critical role in ensuring the project’s impact and outreach.
Contact information
Eija Raatikainen (Link to Metropolia People Finder)
Principal Lecturer, Project Manager
Metropolia University of Applied Sciences
