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The (non) housing of refugees and the myth of bearing capacity

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Landecker Fellow Nikolaos Vrantsis recently wrote an article for Parallaxi Magazine titled ‘The (non) housing of refugees and the myth of bearing capacity’ (‘Η (μη) στέγαση των προσφύγων και ο μύθος της φέρουσας ικανότητας’ in Greek). In it, Nikolaos unfolds the lack of housing policy and assistance provided to asylum seekers in rural Greece. In his regard, the paper represents a retrospective critique of the failure to keep families of refugees in the islands of Naousa.

The topic is introduced with the arrival of asylum seekers in the city of Naoussa in November 2019 and the violent response it provoked amongst residents. A few years following the incidents, Nikolaos explains that despite financial aids, little refugees were abled to stay in Naousa, unable to find home prospects or motivation to settle in the town. Through his research, he concludes a severe lack of effort from the town’s municipality in activating assisting programs for asylum seekers.

You can read the full article on this Parallaxi Magazine page (in Greek).

Nikolaos is one of thirty Landecker Democracy Fellows. This fellowship, a collaboration between the Alfred Landecker Foundation and Humanity in Action, was created to strengthen a new generation of leaders whose approaches to political and social challenges can become catalysts for democratic placemaking and community building. Read more about the fellowship here.