"We need to work on this together" : Collaboration between municipalities and other service providers on the matter of homelessness in Iceland

Abstract: With as complex phenomenon as homelessness, collaboration is needed to provide multiple services that are necessary.The aim of this study was to analyse how service providers experience collaboration between municipalities and other service providers on the matter of homelessness in Iceland. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight service providers that work with the homeless in Iceland. To help analyse the results of this study, Michael Lipsky´s theoretical framework on street-level bureaucracy was used.The results show that informal collaboration is taking place amongst service providers in individual cases. The service providers show a high degree of discretion when deciding to collaborate. However, there is a need for more formal collaborations to provide easy access to pre-existing resources. Municipalities outside of Reykjavik need to take more responsibility when it comes to the homeless and collaborate in a form of payment. Hinders within collaboration can be caused by both individual and institutional problems. Like, a lack of interest from social workers or complicated systems. It was stated that through collaboration a better service is provided and in the long run it will reduce the cost for the society.