Abstract
Homelessness and social exclusion remain pressing challenges in high-income countries, and there is limited causal evidence on policies that effectively promote social and economic reintegration. We designed a randomized controlled trial to evaluate whether reducing key physical and psychological barriers improves labor market participation and social inclusion among homeless individuals in Milan, Italy.
The study evaluates two interventions. The first intervention, Pathway to Stability, is a psychosocial and job training program designed to improve emotional regulation, planning skills, and employability. The second intervention, Personal Space, provides participants with secure personal lockers, reducing the burden of carrying belongings and enhancing mobility, autonomy, and readiness to engage in employment opportunities.
Participants are randomly assigned either to a treatment group that receives both interventions or to a control group that receives no intervention. The primary research question is whether reducing psychological and logistical constraints increases employment and facilitates pathways toward stable housing.
The results will provide causal evidence on the effectiveness of combined psychosocial and material support interventions in promoting labor market integration and social inclusion among homeless populations in high-income settings.