14:55 13 January 2025
Germany sees sharp increase in foreigner homelessness, especially for Poles
Homelessness in Germany has surged, with over 532,000 people currently affected, doubling from 263,000 in 2022. The increase partly stems from the COVID-19 impact and the influx of Ukrainian refugees. Poles represent the largest group of homeless foreigners (30%), followed by Romanians (16%) and Bulgarians (6%). Ukrainians make up only 6% of the foreign homeless population. Germans constitute 73% of the homeless, while 27% are foreigners or stateless.
Most reside in state shelters (440,000), with around 50,000 living on the streets. Long-term homelessness is prevalent among Poles, Romanians, and Bulgarians, with 68% lacking permanent housing for over a year, compared to 38% for other foreign groups.
