What is homelessness?
Whilst there is no universally accepted definition of homelessness, FEANTSA advocates for a broad understanding which encompasses rooflessness, houselessness and inadequate and insecure housing.
ETHOS
ETHOS is the European Typology of Homelessness and Housing Exclusion. It was developed by FEANTSA as a transnational framework definition for policy and practice purposes. It provides a shared language for transnational exchange. It does not attempt to harmonise national definitions of homelessness in Europe.
ETHOS categories attempt to cover all living situations which amount to forms of homelessness across Europe:
- rooflessness (without a shelter of any kind, sleeping rough)
- houselessness (with a place to sleep but temporary in institutions or shelter)
- living in insecure housing (threatened with severe exclusion due to insecure tenancies, eviction, domestic violence)
- living in inadequate housing (in caravans on illegal campsites, in unfit housing, in extreme overcrowding).
How many people are homeless in the European Union?
In the 9th Overview on Housing Exclusion (2024), produced with Fondation pour le Logement des Défavorisés, we estimated a total of 1,287,000 people rough sleeping, staying in night shelters, or temporary accomodation in Europe.
Only one year before in the 8th Overview on Housing Exclusion, we had estimated this number to be 895,000. The number of people experiencing homelessness did not jump 392,000 in one year. So, why the big difference?
Estimates of homelessness in Europe are limited by multiple factors, the most important being the lack of available data. While the data at hand is still lacking, between 2023 and 2024 numerous national and regional surveys were systematised and refined. The greater availability of data, changes in how countries defined homelessness, and greater social awareness leads to greater reporting of homelessness.
Indeed, when we zoom in on homelessness rates in specific countries looks can be decieving. High reported levels of homelessness may reveal more about the country's means of counting and defining homelessness, political attention it gains, and social awareness of the issue. Alternatively, reporting low level of homelessnes may indicate that homelessness is not given adequate attention.
Raw figures can provide a useful jumping block for building political and social pressure, however to truly undertand the state of homelessness a more holistic and contextualised approach is needed.
You can find a more detailed explanation of the complexities of homelessness estimates in chapters one of both the 8th and 9th Overview on Housing Exclusion in Europe.
Frequently asked questions
Why do people become homeless?
Homelessness is rooted in a mix of structural, institutional, individual factors:
- Structural causes include poverty, insufficient affordable housing and the financialisation of housing, low wages, weak social protection, and poor reception conditions for migrants.
- Institutional gaps, such as ineffective policies and response, gaps in support services, and poor coordination between services and authorities.
- Individual causes including health issues (both mental and physical), trauma, or complex personal circumstances that can make accessing or keeping housing more difficult, and Relationship triggers such as domestic violence, bereavement, or separation.
Who experiences homelesness in Europe?
There's no single profile for who experiences homelessness. While the majority are middle-aged, single men, there are a growing number of women, families, migrants, LGBT+ (in particular, Transgender individuals), and young people experiencing homelessess.
Intersecting factors affect how and why individuals might experience homelessness - for example, Migrants often face systemic barriers to housing and services, while LGBT+ individuals may avoid mainstream services due to previous trauma, transphobia, or lack of appropriate, affirming support. A crucial part of this topic is “invisible homelessness”. Sometimes people will don’t appear in official statistics because they’re not sleeping on the streets or in shelters. Instead, they might be:
- Living in overcrowded or unsafe housing
- Staying temporarily with acquaintances
- Avoiding formal systems due to fear or lack of access
For example, women experiencing homelessness often avoid shelters due to safety concerns or responsibilities for children. As a result, women are underrepresented in homelessness data, even though they face significant risks.
Homelessness in Europe affects a diverse and growing range of people. FEANTSA emphasises that to effectively address homelessness, we must understand who is being left out of the data and the services. This means expanding definitions, improving data collection, and developing inclusive, tailored responses that reflect the full diversity of people affected.
Can we solve homelessness?
FEANTSA believes that policies should strive to end homelessness, as opposed to “managing” it. This requires housing-led strategies that prioritise access to adequate housing, provide tailored support, invest in prevention, and avoid an overreliance on temporary shelters. Integrated, rights‑based policies oriented toward ending homelessness not perpetuating it are essential
What is Housing First?
Housing First is an evidence-based model that provides immediate stable housing without requiring prerequisites, such as sobriety or therapy, alongside by tailored support. It’s proven especially effective for individuals with complex needs. Learn more from the experts at the Housing First Hub.
What countries have made progress in the fight against homelessness?
Some European countries have made real, measurable progress in reducing homelessness, largely due to strong political will, housing-led strategies, and investment in long-term solutions like Housing First.
Finland is perhaps the most famous success story in the fight to end homelessness, and we can consider this largely a result of the adoption of the Housing First model as national policy in 2008, and the political commitment to end homelessness by 2027.
What are the different types of homelessness services?
There are several types of homelessness services throughout Europe, reflecting the different needs and situations of people experiencing homelessness. These services can be broadly categorised into emergency (e.g., nightshelters, outreach services), transitional (e.g., temporary supported houses), and housing-led responses (e.g., Housing First), along with preventative (e.g., eviction prevention) and support services (e.g., legal assistance or social work).
FEANTSA's member are the majority service providers - you can learn more about the services in your country through our members map.
How is homelessness being criminalised in Europe?
Criminalisation deepens marginalisation and undermines solutions; humane, supportive policies are both ethical and more effective. Unfortunately, the criminalisation of homelessness is prevalent throughout Europe, in both direct and indirect policies. Examples include:
- Denmark: Legal changes since 2017 banned rough sleeping and begging, with disproportionate enforcement against non‑Danish individuals. A Supreme Court ruling upheld imprisonment for begging, despite human rights concerns.
- Hungary: In 2018, Hungary made sleeping rough itself an offence, leading to fines, imprisonment, and destruction of belongings.
- Across Europe: rising laws against sleeping or storing belongings in public, bans on begging, and defensive public infrastructure aimed to exclude homeless individuals.
FEANTSA denounces these punitive approaches and advocates for rights-based responses and the Homeless Bill of Rights to ensure fair treatment.
Explore Our Work
We work across a range of thematic areas related to homelessness in Europe, addressing the complex and interconnected factors that shape people's experiences. Our work combines research, practice, and policy advocacy to support systemic change. Click on the icons below to explore our latest publications, events, and other resources.