“`html
Swiss City’s Housing Rule leaves Roma Children “Invisible,” Shut Out of School
Despite working full-time,families in Lausanne,Switzerland face a stark reality: precarious living conditions that are now blocking their children’s access too education. A strict local rule requiring proof of domicile for school enrollment has led to children being turned away from the classroom.
The situation highlights a growing crisis for Romanian Roma families who have resided in Lausanne for nearly two decades. Even with parental employment, the high cost of living and stringent landlord requirements make securing stable housing nearly unachievable.This leaves families in a desperate cycle of poverty and exclusion, impacting the next generation’s opportunities.
The plight of 7-year-old David and 10-year-old Fernando exemplifies this struggle. Their father currently works as a delivery driver, yet the family is currently living in their car. “I wake up all the time and start the engine as it’s cold,” the father explained, describing the harsh conditions. “sometimes the cold is so strong that you wont to throw up.”
According to Opre Rom, an association dedicated to supporting Roma families and advocating for their rights, approximately ten children have been denied school enrollment since the start of the 2025 school year. The core issue? Enrollment is contingent upon having a permanent address, even a temporary one.
Local authorities defend the policy as a cantonal rule implemented years ago, intended to manage student distribution. However, critics argue it creates an insurmountable barrier for those experiencing homelessness. “even short-term accommodation must provide a genuine living surroundings and not just a place to sleep,” stated Guillaume Conne, a communications advisor at the Department for Children, Youth and Neighborhoods. He added that authorities are “always seeking alternatives” to ensure continued education for displaced families.
The challenge is further compounded by residency requirements.Conne pointed out that obtaining housing often necessitates a residence permit, which EU citizens may be eligible for after three months of declared work, contingent on meeting specific contract and address criteria. This situation underscores the broader difficulties faced by Roma and other European migrants navigating Switzerland’s complex system.
The policy effectively renders these children “invisible” to the system, according to Opre Rom. Without a stable address, accessing essential rights, like education, becomes severely hampered. The lack of a safe space for rest, hygiene, and study substantially impacts academic performance, and the exhaustion from sleeping in a car directly affects concentration.
During the winter months, several Roma families routinely seek shelter in parking lots on the outskirts of Lausanne, attempting to stay warm by piling blankets and sleeping bags in their vehicles. Families have briefly sought refuge with friends in France, but frequently enough return, fearing they would “cause too much trouble.”
Emergency shelters offer some respite for women and children, but fathers are frequently left outside due to limited space. “alone with the children in these centers, I’m scared,” explained Bissarca, 27, mother of david and Fernando, expressing concerns about the environment within the shelters.
lausanne previously attempted to address the issue in 2014, aiming to educate Roma children alongside those without legal documentation. Between 10 and 20 children were initially integrated into special and reception classes, with some later finding apprenticeships or employment. However, this progress is now threatened by the current enforcement of the domicile requirement.
Véra Tchérémissinoff, co-founder of Opre Rom, known affectionately as “Mama Véra” within the Romanian Roma community, continues to advocate for these families, offering shelter in her home despite scrutiny from authorities. At 83
