According to preliminary results, homelessness in Sofia is significantly lower compared to a number of major European cities with a similar population.
In Lyon, the number of homeless people is approximately 12 times higher, in the Brussels region - 11 times, in Budapest - 5 times, and in Bucharest - about 3 times more than Sofia.
The data is part of the first-ever census of homeless people in Bulgaria, conducted by the Sofia Municipality and the Institute for Population and Human Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.
Between October 20 and 26, 2024, within the framework of the international project “European Census of Homelessness“, Sofia, together with 35 other cities in Europe, became the first Bulgarian city to systematically study the scale and characteristics of homelessness.
“For the first time, we are entering the winter season with clear guidelines for the profile of these people. Their number is not alarmingly high compared to statistics in Europe, but the problem is still there. In the winter, we will continue to offer people on the street accommodation in our centers, as well as food and a warm drink to those who refuse our help,“ noted the Deputy Mayor for Social Activities and Integration of People with Disabilities Nadezhda Bacheva.
In addition to the number of homeless people, at the insistence of the Sofia Municipality, their profile is also being examined, as well as whether they suffer from certain health or mental illnesses and addictions.
“This information is extremely important for us, because it will become a basis for developing real policies that will provide adequate care — "one that is really needed, and not to work piecemeal," added Bacheva.
Scale and organization
53 volunteer enumerators and 8 coordinators participated in the fieldwork, who walked around the different areas of the capital for 3 days.
The census covered both people living on the streets and those who use social services for temporary accommodation or daily support.
The initiative was preceded by several months of preparation - mapping and zoning of Sofia, numerous interviews with service providers and a pilot survey of homeless people.
The results of the census will also help profile people living on the streets. This will help develop more accurate and effective social policies for one of the most vulnerable groups in society.
Partnerships and support
The census was carried out thanks to the broad cooperation between institutions and civil society organizations, including “Caritas“, “Concordia“, “Mission Without Borders“ and the Center for Humane Policies, which assisted in the distribution of donations and communication with people on the ground.
The help of the Bulgarian Red Cross and the Order of Malta, which provided logistical and material support, was also invaluable.
The donations included 2,000 pairs of socks, 1,000 towels, 408 blankets, 300 pairs of shoes, as well as 1,000 gift packages with chocolates and instant coffee for homeless people.
The Bulgarian Red Cross also took care of the volunteers, providing sandwiches and water for each of the three days of the census.