In Belgrade alone, at least 4,000 people live in homelessness. In 2023, we supported 3,150 of them, and in the first nine months of 2024, an additional 500. Thousands are on the brink, where losing a poorly paid job could push them into homelessness.
How do they end up in such a situation?
They now live on the streets or in building basements, abandoned structures, without basic living conditions and exposed to constant uncertainty. These conditions are inhumane. Reliable research provides an answer: a series of unfortunate circumstances, rather than personal choice, usually leads to this situation. A common factor always mentioned is the absence of support—from family, society, and the state. Often, there is no state support system at all.
Their lives, health, and dignity are at risk, and the outlook is bleak.
In fact, field workers constantly learn that the stereotype of a "homeless person" doesn’t reflect reality. Those in this situation include young people, women, educated individuals, and people whom you’d never suspect, as you pass by, that they are living and sleeping in conditions fit—perhaps—for animals.
What is needed, and what are we doing?
An urgent and systematic response is necessary. Relevant institutions must radically reform their approach.
Meanwhile, for the fifth year, we provide Showers on Wheels via a specialized vehicle, Drumodom, as well as essential food packages, healthcare, psychosocial support, and assistance with social integration.
Each month, around 700 people receive much-needed support; two find some form of permanent housing, or obtain personal documents allowing them to access healthcare and find employment. Monthly, this means: 600 hygiene services (showers, laundry, packages); 350 medical services (check-ups, specialist visits, coverage of medical costs); and 550 psychosocial support services, counseling, legal advice, and support with finding housing.
Each year, around 25 people find permanent housing, and about 150 obtain personal documents enabling them to access healthcare, receive social assistance, secure employment, rent apartments, and vote.
Starting in December 2024, we are also providing supported housing for nine young people who grew up without parents. When they leave state institutions or foster families, 4 out of 10 end up in homelessness. We are here to prevent that, to help them strengthen and empower themselves, and to begin an independent life.
Why must society do this?
The fundamental belief is that human life and dignity are sacred. It’s that simple. ADRA is guided by a professional approach in providing support. At the same time, it is based on the conviction that, since a God of love created every human being in His image, every human being possesses intrinsic worth. It is everyone's duty to support the dignity and development of that person.
The state must do much more to prevent new homelessness and to respond much more effectively to existing cases. There is so much more that could be done if the will were there.
We are pushing the state and collaborating with it to make this happen. We do this with other civil society organizations through the Network for Combating Homelessness, as well as with key partners from international organizations, the media, and academia.
Our field team includes doctors, medical technicians, aid distribution coordinators, social workers, a psychologist, and a lawyer.
Since January 2024, we have joined forces with other civil society organizations and stakeholders to expand the national Network for Combating Homelessness.
The project is supported by Delegation of EU in Serbiathe Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, the Austrian Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care, and Consumer Protection, ADRA networkthe ADRA Network, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, City of Belgrade, Secretariat for Social Welfare, citizens and companies.
In the past, important support came from the Slovačke vlade and the USAID in Serbia.
