Housing for Copenhagen’s homeless youth in the works near Kofoed's School

Many homeless young people traditionally visit the school, making it an obvious location

In a big city like Copenhagen, there are bound to always be many vulnerable citizens, addicts and homeless. And there must be room to accommodate them and help them rise back up. A particularly large issue for the Danish capital, however, remain the many young homeless people, including a high number of so-called couch-surfers.

Something must be done about this, according to Copenhagen's Lord Mayor Lars Weiss who has commissioned the construction of 36 temporary homes around the city of which 12 will be dedicated to young homeless people at Kofoed's School on Amager.

Preventing homelessness at an early stage

Since 1928, Kofoed’s School has been a place where the unemployed and the socially disadvantaged could receive support and offers of an active everyday life. Today Kofoed's School takes in approx. 500 adults on a daily basis and makes up a vital part of the local community and has, among other things, a socio-economic shop, café and bicycle workshop.

Furthermore, to this day, young homeless people come to Kofoed's School, looking for shelter. According to the School’s principle Robert Olsen, it would only make sense to have some of the houses proposed by Copenhagen’s local authorities be built around its premises.

The 12 new homes will be built on Jenagade 19-21, which is located by Kofoed's School. The target group is young homeless people who want to benefit from locally based social work support. The Lord Mayor has also proposed for a social worker to be attached to the homes, acting as someone who can help residents find their place and ensure good dialogue with neighbours.

“Copenhagen must be a city with room for everyone. We must take care of the city's most vulnerable citizens, who need extra help - and therefore we must create housing that suits the city's homeless, so they can live with their own roof over their heads,” explained Mayor Lars Weiss.