Homelessness is an extensive societal problem in Sweden, as in many other countries. The situation has worsened over the past 20 years. Homelessness in Sweden has increased since the first national survey was conducted in 1993, and today Sweden has a higher proportion of people experiencing homelessness per thousand inhabitants compared with our neighbouring Nordic countries.
One significant cause is poverty, and another is the general housing shortage, in particular rental apartments with reasonable rents that enable people with a low income to enter the rental market. There is also a lack of control over how vacant housing is distributed among applicants for housing.
Research brief #14 – Homelessness presents current research on the causes, extent, growth and consequences of homelessness, as well as discusses a number of problems and gaps in knowledge.
