Zeeland joins nationwide count of homeless individuals on May 12
On May 12, Zeeland, including the municipality of Borsele, will participate in a national effort to count roofless and homeless people. The results will help shape better policies to support vulnerable groups in the region.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | ETHOS count (national homelessness survey) |
| Date | May 12, 2026 |
| Location | Zeeland (including Borsele) |
| Target Groups | Roofless and homeless individuals, including hidden cases (e.g., those staying with family, in non-conventional spaces, or facing eviction) |
| Participants | Municipal services, social organizations, GPs, schools, volunteers, and experts by experience |
| Goal | Improve policy by gaining insights into the size and profile of homeless populations |
| National Plan | Part of the National Action Plan Homelessness 2023-2030 |
The Dutch government, through initiatives like the ETHOS count, aims to address homelessness by gathering accurate data to inform policy. Municipalities play a key role in implementing these surveys and developing local solutions based on the findings.
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12 May ETHOS count in Zeeland
The ETHOS count is the national approach to get a picture of the number of roofless and homeless people. On 12 May, the count will take place in Zeeland. The municipality of Borsele is also participating in this. We are doing this to gain more insight into the size and profile of roofless and homeless people. Based on this information, we hope to create better fitting policies.
Who are we counting?
We use the ETHOS definition to decide who is roofless and homeless. This includes various living situations of rooflessness and homelessness. These are:
- People who stay in public spaces.
- People who stay in emergency shelters for the homeless.
- People who stay in temporary shelters for the homeless.
- People who leave an institution without follow-up housing.
- People who stay longer in an institution due to a lack of suitable follow-up housing.
- People who stay in non-conventional living spaces due to a lack of housing (such as car, squat, vacation home).
- People who temporarily stay with family, friends, or others out of necessity.
- People facing imminent eviction within a month after the count day.
How do we count?
All organizations or individuals who come into contact with roofless and homeless people fill out questionnaires on the day of the count about people who fall into the ETHOS categories. In addition to municipal services and social support organizations, for example, welfare organizations, general practitioners, schools, experts by experience, and volunteer initiatives also participate. This way, we also count the less visible groups.
Why do we count?
There are several reasons why we want to know the number of roofless and homeless people:
- There is insufficient insight into the size and profile of the group of roofless and homeless people (hidden homelessness).
- The existing estimates (mainly produced by the CBS) are based on administrative data that exclude important groups. For example: children, people over 65, people without valid residence permits, and more hidden situations of rooflessness and homelessness.
- There are no figures at the municipal and regional level.
- A broad definition and associated measurement are necessary for fitting policy.
- It is a spearhead in the National Action Plan Homelessness 2023-2030.
Questions?
Do you have questions about the count? Then contact Luuk Snaterse: