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

Israel's system for addressing homelessness is struggling to keep pace with a growing crisis, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and post-October 7 events. Official figures from the State of Israel report approximately 3,500 "street dwellers," a term with strict criteria that excludes many individuals considered homeless by broader definitions, such as minors, evicted tenants, and those removed due to domestic violence. The OECD, for instance, reported 3,900 homeless individuals in 2024. Ori Shoham, founder-CEO of HomeBase, an NGO, states that "Homeless people and street dwellers are the weakest link in our society," facing legal, financial, physical, health, and drug issues.

"Homeless people and street dwellers are the weakest link in our society."

The government's aid, including treatment units, temporary shelters (gagonim), and monthly stipends, is often insufficient. A 2022 Knesset report highlighted the lack of a national homeless strategy and permanent housing plans. Furthermore, the budget allocated to homelessness, approximately NIS 15 million annually, is not solely dedicated to the issue, with various ministries contributing without a cohesive approach. Shoham notes, "Everybody is doing a bit, but no one is looking at the big picture," leading to inefficient resource utilization. Consequently, only 27-33% of recognized street dwellers can be housed at any given time, indicating significant gaps in support and rehabilitation efforts.