In order to tackle homelessness, the collection of data and an assessment of the problem is essential.

This work strand of the European Platform on Combatting Homelessness aims at improving the understanding of the scope and causes of homelessness, and monitoring progress by providing comparable data.

The European Commission steps up its efforts to improve data availability and evidence on homelessness development in the European Union, through complementary projects:

• Eurostat’s major survey on living conditions focuses in 2023 on housing difficulties with questions on past experiences of homelessness
• A pilot project which, will specifically focus on defining a common counting methodology, building on existing methodologies and coordinating a harmonized pan-European homelessness count in a number of cities at the same point in time
• With the EU, the OECD is preparing a policy toolkit on homelessness and housing exclusion. The project is also mapping data sources and monitoring tools at national level