Parkstad has 751 residents who are either homeless or living on the streets, including 126 children
In April 2026, we conducted our first count of the number of people in Parkstad who are homeless or living on the streets. This is called an ETHOS-Light count. The municipality of Heerlen commissioned this count.
We counted 877 people who are homeless. We were able to thoroughly review the data for 751 of them. Among this group are 126 children under the age of 18.
Most homeless people live in the city.
What does it mean to be homeless?
Homelessness is more than just living on the street. We also counted people who:
- living temporarily with family, friends, or acquaintances
- living in a facility without a suitable housing arrangement
- living in non-standard living spaces
- stay at a shelter
What stands out in Parkstad?
In Parkstad, most people have been homeless for less than a year. This is different from other parts of the Netherlands.
Only 5% of people actually sleep on the streets. This is half the national average.
Homelessness affects people of all ages:
- More than a quarter of adults are between the ages of 18 and 26
- Nearly 1 in 3 is a woman
- Most people are single, with or without children
Where do these people live?
- 40% are staying in a shelter
- 30% are staying temporarily with friends, family, or acquaintances
- 5% live on the streets
This shows that homelessness is often invisible.
"This survey shows that homelessness is much more than just someone sleeping on the street. Behind the numbers are people, families, and young people who often temporarily lack a suitable place to live. By gaining a better understanding of these people, we can help them sooner. This way, we can prevent a temporary housing crisis from turning into long-term homelessness."
What makes Parkstad different from the rest of the Netherlands?
- More people are homeless for less than a year
- Fewer people are chronically homeless or without a home
- More people are staying in shelters or temporary housing facilities
- Fewer people are sleeping on the streets (5% instead of 10%)
- Nearly 90% hold Dutch citizenship (nationwide, this figure is much lower)
The census helps municipalities and organizations develop better policies. We can now better tailor our assistance to people's needs.
What's next?
Municipalities, shelter organizations, healthcare organizations, housing authorities, and social service partners will work together. We will focus primarily on:
- Preventing People from Becoming Homeless or Losing Their Homes
- Early Detection of Problems
- Providing good housing and support options
The ETHOS census will form the basis for our future policies to combat homelessness.