OCDE - Data on homelessness and housing exclusion 2026 - Polonia de 2026

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DATA ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION 2026: POLAND © OECD 2026

Summary of key data and information Summary of key data and information Official statistical definition of homelessness (Table 1) Homelessness is defined as a person who does not stay in a living accommodation and who is not registered for permanent residence therein or a person who does not stay in a living accommodation and is registered for permanent residence in a dwelling which is not adequate for living. Latest national estimates of homelessness (Table 2, Table 3) 31 985 individuals, representing 0.09% of the total population (2026) 16% are women, 82% are men and 2% are children and youth (people below 18 years old) Point-in-time count + 2-3 days around this date (mixed approach), based on the National Research on the Number of Homeless People ETHOS Light groups included Included: • ETHOS Light 1: Living on the streets, in public spaces • ETHOS Light 2: Emergency accommodation (e.g. shelters) • ETHOS Light 3: Accommodation for the homeless (e.g. hostels and women’s refuges) • ETHOS Light 4: People in institutions • ETHOS Light 5: People in non-conventional dwellings (e.g. caravans, cars or tents) • ETHOS Light 6: Living temporarily with others in conventional housing (e.g. sofa-surfing) Notes: Each ETHOS Light group includes one or more sub-categories of living situations. ETHOS Light groups are considered as “included” in the data collection approach if at least one of the sub-categories is counted. Legal framework to collect data on homelessness (Table 4) The National Research on the Number of Homeless People is commissioned by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy in Poland based on the Social Assistance Act. Homelessness Strategy (Table 5) National Homelessness Strategy: Strategy of development of social services, public policy until 2030 (with a

(Table 4) The National Research on the Number of Homeless People is commissioned by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy in Poland based on the Social Assistance Act. Homelessness Strategy (Table 5) National Homelessness Strategy: Strategy of development of social services, public policy until 2030 (with a perspective until 2035) Other (e.g. anti-poverty, housing) national strategy addressing homelessness: the National Programme for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. Update 2021-2027, Public Policy with a 2030 outlook Approaches to collect data on homelessness (Table 6) • Nationwide research of the number of homeless people: Enumeration and survey of people experiencing homelessness performed nationwide on a single winter night (Table 6.1) • Report on the implementation of activities for people experiencing homelessness in the regions (voivodeships): administrative data based on information from self-government entities providing social support (Table 6.2)

Data on homelessness and housing exclusion 2026: Poland2  DATA ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION 2026: POLAND © OECD 2026

Table 1. Official statistical definition of homelessness Statistical definition Homelessness According to the Social Assistance Act of 12 March 2004, homelessness is defined as a person who does not stay in a living accommodation and who is not registered for permanent residence therein or a person who does not stay in a living accommodation and is registered for permanent residence in a dwelling which is not adequate for living. Table 2. Data on people experiencing homelessness: Headline estimate, by living situation Presented according to ETHOS Light Typology Year Headline estimate of homelessness (Individuals) % of total population ETHOS Light 1 People living rough ETHOS Light 2 People in emergency accommodation ETHOS Light 3 People in accommodation for the homeless ETHOS Light 4 People living in institutions

Light 1 People living rough ETHOS Light 2 People in emergency accommodation ETHOS Light 3 People in accommodation for the homeless ETHOS Light 4 People living in institutions ETHOS Light 5 People living in unconventional dwellings ETHOS Light 6 People staying with family/friends 2019 30 330 0.08% 2 551 4 299 14 422 3 062 3 456(b) Not included 2024 31 042 0.08% 2 874 3 423 15 730 5 241 3 774 Not included 2026 31 985(a) 0.09% 3 585 5 006 15 863 3 974 3 557 2 465(c) Metadata: • Type of count: Point-in-time • Data are comparable across years: Yes

• Included in headline estimate:

o Children: Yes o Temporary accommodation for: ‒ Asylum seekers: No ‒ Refugees: Yes ‒ Victims/survivors of domestic violence: Yes Note: (a) For the 2019 survey, an additional 2 540 people experiencing homelessness cannot be categorised and are not included in the headline estimate. (b) Data refer to the sum of vacant lots, houses on plots, and allotment gazebos. ( c) For the first time in 2026, the survey also included people living with friends, family or other people (ETHOS Light 6). To avoid double-counting, the number of people staying with family/friends from the 2026 survey (2 465) is not included in the headline estimate for 2026; the headl ine estimates for 2019, 2024 and 2026 are thus comparable across years.

Source: OECD Questionnaire on Affordable and Social Housing (QuASH); Ministry of Family and Social Policy (2026), National Research on the Number of

across years.

Source: OECD Questionnaire on Affordable and Social Housing (QuASH); Ministry of Family and Social Policy (2026), National Research on the Number of

Homeless People. Table 3. Data on people experiencing homelessness: Headline estimate, by sub-group and living situation Presented according to ETHOS Light Typology, 2026 Single adults Men Women Youth (aged 18-25) Older people (aged 60 and over) Families with children (# of households) Headline estimate of homelessness 27 159 26 047 5 170 1 232 10 218 NA As percentage of total population experiencing homelessness 85% 82% 16% 4% 32% NA ETHOS Light 1: People living rough NA 3 087 498 111 666 NA ETHOS Light 2: People in emergency accommodation NA 4 376 630 237 1 268 NA ETHOS Light 3: People in accommodation for the homeless NA 13 041 2 822 464 6 842 NA ETHOS Light 4: People living in institutions NA 3 016 958 361 539 NA 3

DATA ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION 2026: POLAND © OECD 2026

ETHOS Light 5: People living in unconventional dwellings NA 2 906 651 59 903 NA ETHOS Light 6: People staying with family/friends NA 2 056 409 159 1 450 NA Metadata: • Type of count: Point-in-time

• Included in headline estimate:

o Children: Yes o Temporary accommodation for: ‒ Asylum seekers: No ‒ Refugees: Yes ‒ Victims/survivors of domestic violence: Yes Note: Sub-groups are not mutually exclusive. All ETHOS Light data referring to males and females include data on children (people under 18 years

o Children: Yes o Temporary accommodation for: ‒ Asylum seekers: No ‒ Refugees: Yes ‒ Victims/survivors of domestic violence: Yes Note: Sub-groups are not mutually exclusive. All ETHOS Light data referring to males and females include data on children (people under 18 years old). To avoid double-counting, data reported under ETHOS Light 6 are not included in the to tal headline estimate, as they are captured in other ETHOS Light categories.

Source: OECD Questionnaire on Affordable and Social Housing (QuASH); Ministry of Family and Social Policy (2026), National Research on the Number

of Homeless People. Table 4. Legal framework to collect data on homelessness Legal framework Law that governs data collection on homelessness The Social Assistance Act of 12 March 2004 Legal obligations The National Homeless Survey is commissioned by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy in Poland Table 5. Homelessness strategy Homelessness strategies in place National Homelessness Strategy National Homelessness Strategy: Strategy of development of social services, public policy until 2030 (with a perspective until 2035) Other (e.g. anti-poverty, housing) national strategy addressing homelessness: the National Programme for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. Update 2021-2027, Public Policy with a 2030 outlook Regional and/or local homelessness strategies exist No. Table 6. Approaches to collect data on homelessness 6.1. Nationwide research of the number of homeless people Description The National Homeless Survey is commissioned by the Ministry of Family, L abor and Social Policy in Poland based on the Social Assistance Act. Many entities are involved in the study. Regional offices co-ordinate the process locally and are obligated to organise informational meetings with representatives of all services involved in the project (including the police, non-governmental organisations, and street workers). Each region and municipality designates a regional and municipal Research Co-ordinator. Data from local government units is collected and aggregated in a dedicated system, accessible only to

of all services involved in the project (including the police, non-governmental organisations, and street workers). Each region and municipality designates a regional and municipal Research Co-ordinator. Data from local government units is collected and aggregated in a dedicated system, accessible only to authorised individuals. For the first time, in the 2026 survey, the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy asked questions about “hidden homelessness”, i.e. whether a person in a homelessness crisis lives, has lived or knows someone who is a person experiencing homelessness and lives with friends, family or other people; as such, data on ETHOS Light 6 is included only starting from 2026.

Type of count generated Point-in-time + 2-3 days (mixed approach) Methods • Street count • Service-based method Lead authority(ies) Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy Source(s) of information Data is collected at the municipality level, by social workers, NGO representatives, municipal guards, police and volunteers. It is then aggregated at the regional

(voivodship) level.4  DATA ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION 2026: POLAND © OECD 2026

Scope National level Depth of data • Sociodemographic characteristics: age, gender, nationality, marital status, education • Duration and main causes of homelessness • Income source • Type of assistance received and support required Frequency Usually every two years (the last results are from 2026).

ETHOS Light groups included: • ETHOS Light 1: Living on the streets, in public spaces • ETHOS Light 2: Emergency accommodation (e.g. shelters) • ETHOS Light 3: Accommodation for the homeless (e.g. hostels and women’s refuges) • ETHOS Light 4: People in institutions • ETHOS Light 5: People in non-conventional dwellings (e.g. caravans, cars or tents) • ETHOS Light 6: Living temporarily with others in conventional housing (e.g. sofa-surfing)

• ETHOS Light 4: People in institutions • ETHOS Light 5: People in non-conventional dwellings (e.g. caravans, cars or tents) • ETHOS Light 6: Living temporarily with others in conventional housing (e.g. sofa-surfing)

Note: Each ETHOS Light group includes one or more subcategories of living situations. ETHOS Light groups are considered as “included” in the data collection approach if at least one of the sub-categories is counted.

Notes and sources https://www.gov.pl/web/rodzina/ogolnopolskie-badanie-liczby-osob-bezdomnych-i Results of the National Survey of the Number of Homeless People - Edition 2026 - Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy - Portal Gov.pl

6.2. Report on the implementation of activities for people experiencing homelessness in the regions (voivodeships). Description Administrative data based on information from self-government entities providing social support. It includes inter alia data related to the number of exits from homelessness.

Type of count generated Flow (period) Methods Administrative data gathered from all self-government entities providing social support. Lead authority(ies) Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy Source(s) of information Administrative data of self-government entities providing social support. Scope National level Depth of data • Number of institutional places where self-government entities can locate people experiencing homelessness; • Number of exits from homelessness • Information about social support provided for people experiencing homelessness • Information about the number of deaths due to cold that may be linked with homeless people • Information about regional and local resources used to provide support for people experiencing homelessness Frequency Usually every two years ETHOS Light groups included: • ETHOS Light 1: Living on the streets, in public spaces • ETHOS Light 2: Emergency accommodation (e.g. shelters) • ETHOS Light 3: Accommodation for the homeless (e.g. hostels and women’s refuges)

Usually every two years ETHOS Light groups included: • ETHOS Light 1: Living on the streets, in public spaces • ETHOS Light 2: Emergency accommodation (e.g. shelters) • ETHOS Light 3: Accommodation for the homeless (e.g. hostels and women’s refuges) • ETHOS Light 4: People in institutions • ETHOS Light 5: People in non-conventional dwellings (e.g. caravans, cars or tents)

Note: Each ETHOS Light group includes one or more subcategories of living situations. ETHOS Light groups are considered as “included” in the data collection approach if at least one of the sub-categories is counted.

Please refer to the OECD Affordable Housing Database, indicator HC3.1. Population experiencing homelessness, https://www.oecd.org/content/oecd/en/data/datasets/oecd-affordable-housingdatabase.html. 5

DATA ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION 2026: POLAND © OECD 2026

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