Sofia reports far lower homelessness than peers

Sofia has recorded substantially fewer homeless residents than comparable European capitals, according to initial findings from Bulgaria’s first comprehensive street population survey. The Bulgarian capital showed approximately one-twelfth the homeless count of Lyon, one-eleventh that of Brussels, one-fifth of Budapest’s figure, and roughly one-third of Bucharest’s total.

The Sofia Municipality partnered with the Institute for Population and Human Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences to conduct the census as part of a 36-city European initiative. Fifty-three volunteer enumerators and eight coordinators surveyed both street dwellers and those using temporary shelters across three days of fieldwork.

Deputy Mayor for Social Activities Nadezhda Bacheva emphasized that the research will inform targeted policy development by identifying health conditions, mental illness patterns, and addiction issues among the homeless population. Collaborating organizations, including Caritas, Concordia, Mission Without Borders, the Bulgarian Red Cross, and the Order of Malta, distributed thousands of socks, blankets, shoes, and care packages during the enumeration effort.