New national count to map homelessness across nearly two-thirds of Dutch municipalities

Around 100 municipalities across 11 regions are participating in a national count on May 12 to better understand homelessness. It is the fourth iteration of the study, which will eventually give nearly two-thirds of all Dutch municipalities data on the number of homeless people and their circumstances. The findings, expected in early December, will be used to improve policy-making.

The ETHOS survey, carried out by Hogeschool Utrecht in cooperation with the Kansfonds, uses a European framework that defines homelessness as the absence of adequate housing.

“Existing national figures do not provide insight into the number of homeless people at municipal and regional level, while there is a clear need for this in policymaking,” says Marjam Smeekens of Hogeschool Utrecht. “In the ETHOS count, we use a broader definition so that the hidden group of homeless people also becomes visible. Think of children, people over 65, and individuals who, for example, live in a car or at a holiday park instead of on the street or in shelters.”

On Tuesday, May 12, the homelessness count will take place across several Dutch regions, including Rotterdam, Utrecht, West-Brabant-West, Zeeland, Noord-Veluwe, and Groningen.

On that day, a wide range of organisations, including GPs, park rangers, schools, shelters, community centres, churches, and housing corporations, will complete surveys, with results processed anonymously. For the first time, animal shelters are also involved, as they are seeing more people surrender pets due to homelessness.

The initial ETHOS count was carried out in 2023. According to Smeekens, “after four rounds of data collection, we expect to be able to produce a reliable national picture for the first time.” Kansfonds focuses on supporting people in vulnerable circumstances.