The number of homeless people in the country last year was 12,725, which represents a 11.6% decrease from the previous survey conducted three years ago. Additionally, half of all homeless individuals are living in the greater Seoul area, and the most common reason for homelessness was found to be job loss.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced the results of the '2024 Homelessness Status Survey.'
The survey on the status of homeless people is carried out in accordance with the law regarding the welfare and self-support of homeless individuals. This survey is the third, following those conducted in 2016 and 2021. The surveyed homeless include those who stay on the streets, those in self-support, rehabilitation, and nursing facilities, and rooming house residents.
According to the survey released that day, the number of homeless people in the country last year decreased by 1,679 compared to 2021 (14,404 individuals).
Among all homeless individuals, those in facilities numbered 6,659, which was the highest. This was followed by rooming house residents (4,717) and street homeless individuals (1,349). All groups showed a decrease compared to the previous survey.
In this regard, the ministry noted that this is a result of the systemization of policies aimed at preventing homelessness and the efforts in the field of homeless welfare.
Looking at the regional distribution, 52.1% (6,636 individuals) of all homeless people were found to be living in the greater Seoul area, including Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon. When looking only at street homeless individuals, the concentration in the greater Seoul area was 75.7% (1,022 individuals).
Homeless individuals cited job loss (35.8%) as the most common reason for their homelessness, followed by divorce and family breakdown (12.6%) and business failure (11.2%).
It was found that 75.3% of all homeless individuals are unemployed. Among the unemployed, 56.9% said they have 'no ability to work.' However, 11.3% reported having sought employment within the last four weeks.
The main sources of income for homeless individuals were public assistance, including basic livelihood guarantee benefits and basic pension, which accounted for 47.8%. This was followed by income from public work activities through community work and self-support projects at 37.6%. Over the past year, the average monthly income for street homeless individuals was 794,000 won, while for those in facilities, it was 505,000 won.
The largest portion of expenditures for homeless individuals over the past three months was spent on food (39.1%), followed by alcohol and tobacco (18.8%) and household goods (13.4%).
The services that homeless individuals reported as being the most helpful were free meals (23.8%) and living allowances (16.6%). Additionally, they cited income support (41.7%) as the most needed assistance.
The ministry plans to analyze the findings confirmed through this survey to establish the third comprehensive welfare and self-support plan for the homeless (2026-2030).
Baek Kyung-taek, Director of Welfare Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said, 'Based on the results of this survey, we will actively support measures to protect the homeless and successfully reintegrate them into society.'