ROTTERDAM, 6 May 2026 – Rotterdam will count people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity (dak- en thuisloosheid) on 12 May 2026, together with organisations across the region. The city is joining the ETHOS count by Hogeschool Utrecht and Kansfonds, giving Rotterdam its first broader regional picture of people without a stable home.
The count is part of the fourth national ETHOS round, with 96 municipalities in 11 regions taking part. Rotterdam is joining alongside Ridderkerk, Barendrecht, Capelle aan den IJssel, Krimpen aan den IJssel, Lansingerland and Albrandswaard.
Rotterdam joins ETHOS count
Existing national figures do not show homelessness clearly at municipal and regional level. That makes it harder for cities to shape policy around the people who need help.
“At the ETHOS count, we use a broader definition of seven categories, bringing more forms of homelessness and housing insecurity into view,” says Marjam Smeekens of Hogeschool Utrecht. “Think of children, people over 65 and people who sleep in a car or on a friend’s sofa instead of on the street or in shelter accommodation.”
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Wider definition shows hidden homelessness
That wider definition matters in a city like Rotterdam, where homelessness is not always visible on the street. Someone may still go to work during the day, while sleeping in a car, on a sofa or temporarily with family at night.
The ETHOS count is designed to capture those less visible situations too. According to Smeekens, the outcomes can help municipalities work in a more targeted way on solving homelessness and housing insecurity.
Count gives one-day snapshot
The research is a point-in-time count, meaning it gives a snapshot of the number of people without a stable home on one specific reference date. Professionals fill in a questionnaire for every person experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity they know.
The information is sent to Hogeschool Utrecht for research. The data is pseudonymised, and the questionnaires do not ask for names, citizen service numbers or addresses.
Regional organisations take part
Around 90 organisations are taking part across the Rotterdam region. More than 300 professionals are involved in the operation on and around 12 May.
The participating organisations include shelters, care organisations, community centres, churches and housing corporations. Less obvious organisations are also involved, including the Youth Education Fund (Jeugdeducatiefonds), Vereniging Alternatief Wonen and hospitals.
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Homelessness is not only rough sleeping
Rotterdam experience expert Maikel says the ETHOS count shows why a broader view is needed. “Being homeless is not only sleeping outside, that is what the ETHOS count shows. For two years I did not have my own key, and slept on a friend’s sofa. You are always a guest, you have no privacy, your children cannot come to visit. You are busy with it all day. Without a disability or care need, it is difficult to find the right help. Stichting Ontmoeting was my rescue.”
His experience shows why the count includes people who do not fit the familiar image of homelessness. Not everyone without a home is sleeping outside or staying in formal shelter accommodation.
City reviews existing approach
Rotterdam expects the count to provide more insight into the characteristics of people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in the region. That includes people who may be economically homeless, where the main issue is not necessarily care, but the lack of an affordable and stable place to live.
With the results, the municipality can review its existing approach and add to it where needed. Prevention and support for economically homeless people are among the areas that may require closer attention.
Organisations show local commitment
Ronald Buijt, alderman for Care, Older People and Youth Care, Organisation and Services, says the broad participation is important. “We are pleased that so many organisations are willing to count with us in the Rotterdam region. That says a lot about the attention and willingness of the city to tackle this issue.”
“The count was a reason for other cities to look at their existing approach with fresh eyes. At this stage, we are mainly curious about the outcomes.”
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Results arrive in December
The results of the fourth ETHOS count will be published on 9 December 2026. By then, 220 of the 342 Dutch municipalities will have insight into the scale and nature of homelessness and housing insecurity.
That includes the four largest Dutch cities: Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam and Utrecht. “After four counting rounds, we expect to be able to outline a reliable national picture for the first time,” says Smeekens. “An important step, because only with clear and reliable figures for the whole of the Netherlands can homelessness be tackled effectively.”
