A new census conducted by Utrecht University of Applied Sciences and the Kansfonds charity has highlighted a stark housing crisis, with more than 20,000 people identified as homeless in the Amsterdam and The Hague regions alone. The ETHOS study reveals that over 1 per cent of the population in these major cities lacks adequate housing.
The findings show a shift in the traditional image of homelessness. According to researcher Annabel Scheepers, the group is incredibly diverse, affecting men, women, young people, and children. Crucially, the data exposes “hidden homelessness”: 31 per cent of adults stay with family or friends, while 18 per cent live in non-conventional spaces such as cars, garages, or mobile homes.
In the Amsterdam and The Hague regions, a relatively high number of people live on the streets compared to other areas, and women are disproportionately represented in these city centres.
Impact on the Brainport region
The census was also extended to the Eindhoven and Brainport regions for the first time, revealing significant numbers in the south of the country. In the wider Eindhoven region, a total of 2,441 homeless people were recorded, including 320 children.
The figures for the city of Eindhoven are particularly striking:
- 1,419 adults were identified as homeless.
- 166 children are currently without a permanent home.
- 19 per cent of the homeless population in the city are young people aged between 18 and 27.
Regional officials expressed shock at the numbers. The Salvation Army has described the situation as a national crisis, noting that these ETHOS figures are significantly higher than official government estimates. Chairman Harm Slomp warned that overcrowded shelters and a lack of affordable housing are preventing people from recovering and finding stability.
The ETHOS (European Typology of Homelessness and Housing Exclusion) method is designed to provide a more accurate picture by including those who are not registered in official shelters. The latest count involved 645 organisations, including GPs, social services, and housing associations.
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