Hus Forbi

Hus Forbi is a Danish street newspaper whose name means “House Past” or “House By” in Danish. Founded in 1996, it is published monthly and focuses primarily on homelessness and the experiences of people living on the margins of Danish society. Homeless and formerly homeless people participate in the newspaper’s editorial work, giving the publication a perspective rooted in the community it serves. The newspaper is distributed through a distinctive social-enterprise model. Vendors sell copies directly on the streets, including outside supermarkets, at railway stations and in similar public locations. According to the available reference material, approximately 2,750 homeless or formerly homeless people sell the paper, while monthly circulation is about 90,000 copies. A copy is sold for 50 Danish kroner, of which the vendor keeps 25 kroner. The direct-payment structure gives vendors an immediate source of income and makes the newspaper both a media product and a practical support mechanism for people experiencing homelessness. Hus Forbi’s subject matter is closely connected to its distribution model. Its articles mainly address homelessness and related social issues, while the involvement of homeless people in editorial work helps connect reporting and lived experience. The publication therefore combines journalism, advocacy and income generation rather than operating solely as a conventional newspaper. To reduce fraud and help readers identify authorised sellers, Hus Forbi uses a certification system. Vendors receive an identification card showing their photograph, name and identification number, and the card is required to be visible while they are selling the newspaper. This system distinguishes official vendors from unauthorised sellers and supports trust in the street-sales model. In addition to the monthly newspaper, Hus Forbi has also offered an Advent calendar. The available reference material does not provide further detail about the calendar’s format, sales history or current availability. Hus Forbi remains associated with Denmark’s street-newspaper movement and with the use of journalism and direct sales to create visibility and income for people affected by homelessness.

Hus Forbi was founded in Denmark in 1996 as a street newspaper associated with homelessness and social exclusion. Its operating model links publication, street distribution and direct financial benefit for vendors. Rather than relying on conventional retail distribution, the newspaper is sold by homeless and formerly homeless people in public places such as areas outside supermarkets and railway stations. The publication’s editorial focus is homelessness and related issues. Homeless people are involved in the editorial work, which gives the newspaper a role beyond ordinary news distribution: it provides a platform for perspectives from people directly affected by homelessness while also creating a way for those people to earn income. The available reference material does not identify individual founders, editors or later organisational changes. By the period covered in the available reference material, Hus Forbi was published monthly with a circulation of approximately 90,000 copies. Around 2,750 homeless or formerly homeless people sold the paper. The stated retail price was 50 Danish kroner per copy, with 25 kroner retained by the vendor. These figures describe the newspaper’s social-distribution mechanism and distinguish it from a standard commercial publication sold through shops or subscriptions. Hus Forbi also developed an Advent calendar as an additional offering. The available sources do not provide its launch date, production details or current status. Because street sales can create a risk of impersonation or unauthorised selling, Hus Forbi introduced a vendor-certification procedure. Sellers are issued identification cards containing their photograph, name and number, and the card must be visible while they are selling. This procedure helps readers recognise authorised vendors and protects the credibility of the newspaper’s social model. The available material does not document specific leadership appointments, ownership changes, major campaigns, lawsuits, scandals, acquisitions or product-generation changes. The newspaper’s continuing identity is defined by its monthly publication schedule, focus on homelessness, participation of homeless people in editorial work and direct sales by certified homeless or formerly homeless vendors.

• 1996

  Hus Forbi is founded

  [1]Hus Forbien.wikipedia.org

  Hus Forbi is established in Denmark as a street newspaper connected to homelessness and social inclusion.

A Danish street newspaper combining journalism about homelessness with a vendor-income model for homeless and formerly homeless people.

• Street newspaper · 1996

  Hus Forbi monthly newspaper

  The core Hus Forbi product is a monthly street newspaper sold directly by homeless and formerly homeless vendors in Denmark. Its articles mainly cover homelessness and related social issues, and homeless people participate in the editorial work. The newspaper is sold in public locations such as outside supermarkets and at railway stations. The available reference material states a circulation of about 90,000 copies and a price of 50 Danish kroner, with half of the sale price going to the vendor.

• Seasonal publication

  Hus Forbi Advent calendar

  Hus Forbi has also offered an Advent calendar connected with the newspaper brand. The available source confirms the existence of this seasonal offering but does not provide details about its design, publication schedule, pricing or current availability.

1. 1Hus Forbien.wikipedia.org
2. 2Hus Forbi official websitehusforbi.dk