Census for collecting homeless data begins in Budapest

Authorities in Hungary have begun collecting census data on homeless people, estimating that between 1,000 and 1,500 people spend their nights on the streets of Budapest daily.

Of those, estimates say around 5,000 spend their nights in hostels, with many only having funds to stay for one night.

The Shelter Foundation’s (Menhely Alapítvány) homeless shelter on Vajdahunyad Street in central Budapest was founded in 1990 to provide refuge for people living on the streets.

Péter Győri, chairman of the foundation’s board of trustees, says the aim of the census is to find out how many people actually sleep without shelter in the inner districts of Budapest. Next year, his foundation plans to survey those in the outer districts.

In addition to looking at the demographic and health situation of those affected, a study into how homeless people see the potential for change in their current situation will also be conducted, according to the Shelter Foundation.

“The European Union has launched a major joint international survey. The aim is to assess the scale and composition of homelessness in 10 countries, based on a common approach and a common methodology, in order to provide targeted support to reduce homelessness,” Győri said.

This year, 15 cities from 10 EU countries are taking part in the research being carried out in cooperation between Városkutatás Kft, the Shelter Foundation, the Budapest Methodological Social Centre (BMSZKI), and the Municipality of Budapest.

Euronews Hungary spoke to several homeless people in Budapest, who say they previously had a stable life.

“I was a chef in the downtown, but COVID-19 was the absolute end of hospitality. I couldn’t find a solution. First I lost my job, then my flat, then my girlfriend,” one person living on the street told Euronews under the condition of anonymity.

The Hungarian government largely does not provide aid to assist those experiencing homelessness, with Viktor Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party instead turning to criminalisation.

The country’s NGOs have said homeless people are more at risk during Hungary’s cold winters, when temperatures outside regularly hit 0C.

The EU Commission promotes the use of funding for individual member states to tackle mass homelessness and to make decisions based on reliable data.

A 2023 report published by FEANTSA, a pan-European, non-profit organisation working with homeless people, estimates that about 890,000 people sleep rough or in a homeless shelter on any given night across the EU.