Number of homeless people sees increase in 2023

Official data released to Parliament by the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare, in response to a question from AKEL MP Nikos Kettiros, highlights a notable increase in individuals experiencing homelessness during the first half of 2023. The data, obtained by Politis newspaper, reveals that a total of 137 homeless persons approached the Social Welfare Services for support.

The breakdown of requests by district is as follows:

- Paphos District: 32 individuals experiencing homelessness, comprising 11 Cypriots, 15 Europeans, and six third-country nationals.

- Nicosia District: The highest number of requests, with 40 homeless individuals seeking support. This included 19 Cypriots, 10 European citizens, and 11 third-country nationals.

- Limassol District: Witnessed 58 persons experiencing homelessness requesting support, with 20 Cypriots, 19 European citizens, and 19 third-country nationals.

- Larnaka District: Recorded three homeless individuals seeking support, involving two Cypriots and one European.

- Famagusta District: Four homeless persons sought assistance, all of whom are European citizens.

The data emphasizes the diverse nature of individuals experiencing homelessness and highlights the varying needs across different districts in Cyprus.

The information was made public by Politis newspaper, which obtained the official data through the parliamentary inquiry initiated by AKEL MP Nikos Kettiros. The release of this data underscores the importance of transparency in addressing the challenges faced by homeless individuals and ensuring responsive policymaking.