This paper provides a comparative analysis of the role of the state in devising homeless strategies in Ireland and Portugal. Conceptualising the role of the State in both Portugal and Ireland requires cognizance of the substantial shifts that have occurred over the past three decades. Thus, rather than providing a static portrait of the role of the State, we aim to provide a temporal dimension by mapping changes in the role of the State over time. To provide a framework for the paper, we first briefly explore Jessop’s strategic-relational theory of the ’State’, which argues that it is problematic to understand the role of the ‘State’ in general ; rather we can only understand the ‘State’ in specific contexts.

On this basis, we seek to understand the role of the State in Ireland and Portugal in shaping policies in relation to homelessness, by locating these developments in their particular historical, institutional and strategic contexts. In both Ireland and Portugal, there is evidence of changes in the understanding of homelessness among key stakeholders and in the development of national and local strategies. The key trend identified in both countries is that of the State taking ownership or control over homeless policy and attempting to devise reasonably coherent frameworks in which to address the issue. However, homeless strategies in Portugal and Ireland do not have a predetermined path, rather the future ability of these projects to realise the promise of coherence in the delivery of services is conditional on a range of other state projects.