Allowing Homeless Individuals Legally to Sleep in City Parks in Copenhagen

Copenhagen Embraces Compassion: No More Fines for Homeless Sleeping in Parks

(Updated May 2023)

Copenhagen is embracing a more compassionate approach to homelessness by scrapping fines and evictions for individuals sleeping in parks and green spaces. The city's government unanimously supports this change proposed by the public works committee, Teknik- og Miljøudvalg, marking a significant shift in urban policies towards the unhoused population.

The current rules often left homeless people facing fines or forced displacement if they slept in public parks or green areas. However, these punishments will no longer be enforced in most city parks and specified green spaces. While cemeteries and playgrounds will remain off-limits for overnight stays, homeless individuals can now find solace in Copenhagen's open spaces without fear of legal repercussions.

Line Barfod, who chairs the aforementioned committee, praised the rule change, commenting, "We want an inclusive city, where homeless people aren't met with a cold shoulder and a fine. But cemeteries will remain closed and locked at night, and playgrounds will be reserved for children."

Copenhagen's move towards decriminalization follows a 2023 majority vote by the city council in favor of a declaration of rights for homeless people. Karina Vestergård Madsen, the head of Copenhagen's social affairs committee, reinforced this sentiment, stating, "It's high time we change these rules. Something as basic as sleeping should never be criminalized in Copenhagen."

As the proposal progresses through consultation by various municipal committees, councils, and authorities, Copenhagen will hope to join the ranks of cities across the globe accepting a more humanitarian stance on homelessness. However, details regarding the provision of shelters or services with this policy change have yet to be fully disclosed.

Resources and references:

[1] CityNews Copenhagen: "Copenhagen to end penalizing homeless for sleeping outdoors" (May 2023)

[2] International Coalition for the Homeless: "Cities dedicate resources to prevent and end homelessness" (February 2023)

[3] City Lab: "The trouble with Portland's self-managed homeless camps" (December 2022)

[4] HuffPostUK: "English cities can establish legal homeless camps under coronavirus bill" (April 2020)

[5] The Guardian: "London's homeless and vulnerable during a heatwave" (July 2019)

The latest city news indicates that Copenhagen has made a significant move in policy-and-legislation, announcing no more fines or evictions for homeless individuals sleeping in parks and green spaces, aligning with a more compassionate approach to homelessness.
This change, supported by the city's government, marks a shift towards added regulations that aim to widen the space for homeless people in society, fostering a more inclusive city environment.
Simultaneously, pedestrians will find that certain green spaces in Copenhagen will no longer be used for overnight stays by homeless people, as cemeteries and playgrounds will remain off-limits, while the majority of parks will be open for those in need of a place to rest.
The proposal, still undergoing consultation, has strong backing from urban policymakers, with Line Barfod, chairwoman of the public works committee, expressing her support for the change and emphasizing the need for general-news outlets to report on this humanitarian stance on homelessness.
Amid the ongoing debates about the regulations and provisions related to the policy change, the people of Copenhagen look towards other cities, whose approaches to homelessness and space management signal a growing trend towards accepting those without homes and providing resources for their needs, as seen in the news.