Polish homeless count is estimated to be higher than official figures, while international reports highlight housing crises in Austria, Italy, and Greece.
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A recent study on homelessness in Poland, conducted by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, identified 31,000 people experiencing homelessness as of late 2024. The majority were found in institutional settings rather than public spaces, suggesting progress in de-institutionalization, though experts like Caritas believe the actual number is at least double this figure due to factors like the pandemic and inflation. While dependency on substances has become a leading cause of homelessness, there are ongoing issues with long-term exit strategies from homelessness, particularly concerning mandatory sobriety requirements in shelters. The study noted that most homeless individuals are men aged 41 to 60. In contrast, other countries face similar challenges: Austria reports over 20,000 homeless people, and Italy estimates well over 120,000, largely due to rising rental costs. Greece struggles with a lack of official registers and underfunded social services, while Poland is implementing programs like “Najpierw Mieszkanie” to address housing shortages.
