Switzerland lacks national strategy to address homelessness

Switzerland lacks an official definition of homelessness, national statistics, or a unified strategy to address the issue, despite thousands of citizens lacking stable housing. While the federal government maintains that responsibility lies with individual cantons and municipalities, social work professor Jerg Ditman suggests this approach reflects a lack of political will, effectively shifting obligations onto private associations, volunteers, and religious communities.

A 2022 assessment ordered by the Federal Office for Housing estimated approximately 3,810 homeless individuals and another 16,355 facing potential homelessness. However, experts warn these figures may no longer be reliable as the data was based on a survey involving only about 28 percent of municipalities.

Regional data shows varying levels of monitoring. In Bern, officials report a growing number of homeless individuals, nearly half of whom are foreign nationals. Some public shelters are required to refuse individuals without regulated residency status. Meanwhile, Basel has not conducted a census since 2020, and Zurich has implemented twice-yearly counts in 2024.