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Episode details

World Service,23 Jan 2014,28 mins

Homeless in Hungary

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Available for over a year

In Hungary homeless people are having to contend not only with a cold winter but also a new law which makes sleeping rough illegal in many areas. The government argues that the law, which threatens those living on the streets with a fine or even prison, means fewer people will suffer the effects of the cold. Campaigners say there are not enough places in the shelters and that as many as one in five homeless people would prefer to stay as they are - and not have to part with their pets and belongings. Nick Thorpe is in Budapest to investigate the plight of the homeless in Hungary and asks is it possible to legislate away a social problem? (Image: Albert and Valeria in their new home. BBC Copyright)

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