As homelessness rises in the countries capital, how can we make life more tolerable for these vulnerable communities?
Two Danish politicians spent 48 hours living on the streets in Copenhagen last weekend, in hopes of strenghtening their party’s implementation of social policies.
Dorthe Beck-Nyling and Nanna W. Gotfredsen took to the streets with nothing but a sleeping bag, a mug, and their cellphones where they could post real time updates to social media. They had no money and worked for with Hus-Forbi, distributing newspapers for Danish Crowns.
A study conducted in 2024 shows that nearly six thousand people were registered as homeless in Denmark, 200 more than recorded two years prior. Much of this increase is also said to have occurred in the capital area.
Moderaterne Party member Beck-Nyling, said in an interview that to understand how to support this increasing population, she and Gotfredsen, would first have to put themselves in their position.
“For the first time somebody is coming to me, instead of I have to come to them to tell my story,” Beck-Nyling said, recalling the feedback she received from those living on the streets in Denmark’s most populated city.
Moderaterne is a political party whose purple logo is a symbol of their location between the classic blue and red parties. “We want to take the best from both sides,” said Beck-Nyling.
Beck-Nyling says the party is currently working on enacting social policies, or what she refers to as “dignity laws.” She says these laws focus on supporting people where they are, instead of forcing them to change or take on new responsibilities they may not be prepared for.
“I don’t want to dictate how a community should look like. It’s what the people who are in it, they need,” said Beck-Nyling
After spending some time on the streets, Beck-Nyling says these policies could look like creating safer shelters, and having 24-hour access to clean public restrooms.
For the politician who has a history in the military, Beck-Nyling said the hardest part of this experience was being ignored by passersby.
“They avoid you. They look away and, and many times I just thought ‘you don’t have to buy this paper. Just look at me. Just see me, I’m a human being,’” she said, recalling on her feelings.
Beck-Nylling acknowledged how quickly she was embraced by those living on the streets of Copenhagen. “[They] gave us some money, gave us some cigarettes, [and] some beers,” she said.
After undergoing this experience, she has vowed to never again ignore a homeless person, even in her busiest moments. “I’m going to look them in the eye, give them a smile, and say, ‘Hey, I’m busy, have a nice day,’” said the party member.