Croatia faces housing crisis with 2,000 homeless and limited shelter capacity

Croatia is facing a significant gap in housing support, with approximately 2,000 people living without a home and another 15,000 residing in inadequate or insecure housing conditions. According to research from the ‘New Perspective for the Homeless’ project, existing shelters and hostels provide only 450 places.

To mark World Homeless Day, the Minister of Labour and Social Policy, Alen Ružić, visited the Depaul Croatia association in Rijeka. During the visit to the local shelter, the Minister emphasized the need for timely, connected, and dignified support for individuals in difficult life circumstances. The Ministry highlighted that effective assistance must go beyond basic needs like food and hygiene, focusing instead on building trust, providing professional support, and creating pathways back into social and professional life.

Key challenges identified in caring for the homeless population include a lack of health insurance, the criminalization of homelessness, and difficulties in registering for unemployment benefits. The Ministry stated that addressing homelessness requires an integrated approach combining health care and social policy, with a primary focus on achieving stable housing.