Nuestra NEBRIJA 32 - enero 2020

42 While international organizations warn of the pos- sibility of having to face a new global crisis in a not too distant horizon, the severe scars resulting from the previous crisis remain visible in the Old World. Undoubtedly, the most obvious evidence is found in the drama- tic increase in homelessness which occurred during the Great Recession in virtually all countries of the European Union. While it is true that the reasons why a person could ex- perience this kind of situation are diverse and not merely economic, the solutions to the problem are not so different. A greater commitment to public policies is needed. Paradoxically, and despite the fact that social ser- vices are absolutely essential to deal with such overwhelming difficulties, the statistics provided by official bodies are not entirely homogeneous. This fact, in addition to hampering the com- parison between countries, can lead to re- sults dangerously far from reality. Without going any further, the latest INE data on this issue dates from 2012, when it estimated that there are 23,000 people without shelter in Spain. However, institutions such as Caritas raise the figure to 40,000. In the last report of its FOESSA Foundation (Promotion of Social Studies and Applied Sociology), con- cluded that 800,000 households suffer from an extremely precarious situation, which affects 2.1 million people. The latest data provided by FEANTSA indicates substantial growth of poverty in almost all members of the European Union. Finland puts the jarring note reducing poverty rates in its country. José Manuel Muñoz Puigcerver. International Economy Professor at Nebrija University Article Finland’s example to end the vicious circle of poverty A greater commitment with public policies is needed