Determinants facilitating the participation of people experiencing homelessness in social work interventions: A scoping review

The participation of people experiencing homelessness in social work interventions is a key precondition for successful social work and long-term change in the life situation of this vulnerable group. This scoping review analyses scientific literature published between 2020 and 2025 and synthesizes the key determinants supporting the participation of people experiencing homelessness in social work interventions. The results confirm that the interplay of individual characteristics (self-efficacy, resilience, readiness to change, experience with trauma), quality relationships (trust, peer support, coordination of care), systemic factors, and the form of the interventions themselves play a key role. Innovative models such as Housing First and trauma-informed care have positive effects, but their effectiveness is significantly conditioned by choice, coordination of services, and the removal of systemic barriers such as stigma, fragmentation, and low housing availability. The study highlights the importance of participatory and empowerment approaches, including the meaningful involvement of people with experience of homelessness, which significantly increase the effectiveness and sustainability of the system. Recommendations for practice and further research are discussed, with an emphasis on long-term sustainability, innovation, and inclusion for diverse populations.