Inside Israel's homelessness crisis: A system struggling to keep up

Homelessness has become a growing issue in Israel, with the government's efforts to address it proving inadequate. While a casual visitor to Jerusalem may not immediately notice the problem, the stark reality is that the Israeli system to combat homelessness is struggling to keep up. The number of recognized homeless individuals has risen, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic and following the October 7 attack.

According to Ori Shoham, founder-CEO of HomeBase, an NGO that aids homeless individuals in Israel, approximately 3,500 street dwellers are officially recognized by the Israeli government. However, this number may be significantly lower than the actual figure, as the criteria for being recognized as homeless in Israel is stricter than in other OECD countries. This definition excludes minors, individuals who have been evicted or released from prison, and those affected by domestic violence.

Moreover, homeless individuals must directly approach their local municipality to be recognized as homeless, which many are unaware of or unable to do due to their mental or physical condition. Consequently, non-profit organizations often record a higher number of homeless individuals than official reports.

The Israeli government offers treatment units and individual support for homeless individuals, but lacks a comprehensive national homeless strategy and permanent housing plan. In contrast, other countries have implemented policies like the US's Housing First approach. The Welfare Ministry collects data on street dwellers through annual questionnaires filled out by local authorities, but many who qualify for assistance may not report to their local municipality, or may not meet the government's strict criteria for being recognized as homeless.