Serbian Census Records Homeless Residents

Census takers collected information on homeless Serbians from 1 September until 5 October. The census of Serbians with a fixed address commenced on 1 October and will end on 15 October.

Preliminary results are expected to be revealed on 15 November with more detailed analysis becoming available throughout 2012 and 2013.

In order to calculate as accurately as possible the number of homeless people, Serbia’s Statistical Office worked with the state, province and non-government organizations.

Snezana Lakicevic , from the Statistical Office, told Radio Free Europe that the collection of data on homeless people should enable the state to help these people better.

“Primary homelessness is not resolved even in most developed countries. What we at least can do is to increase the capacities of our centres and improve the service for those people,” Snezana added. 

An estimated 10,000 people live on streets and in parks with no shelter in Serbia. They are considered “primary homeless” individuals.

A second group of the population, termed “secondary homeless people”, do not have a fixed address but do have access to transitional accommodation with shelters.