According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, China had approximately 2,000 shelters and 20,000 social workers to aid approximately 3 million homeless people in 2014. From 2017 to 2019, the government of Guangdong Province assisted 5,388 homeless people in reuniting with relatives elsewhere in China.
Depending on how one defines homelessness, China has either a very tiny homeless population or an extremely large one. Compared to other countries, there very few vagrants: people living on the streets of China's cities without means of support.
In mainland China, the government manages the homeless in cities in three ways: sending them back to their hometowns, providing them with temporary shelters, and driving them off.
Homelessness is a severe social issue in China. People go homeless because of natural disasters, migration, and discrimination. China is prone to natural disasters. These unstoppable forces displace many people from their homes.
The government now provides affordable housing by subsidizing commercial housing purchases or by offering low-rent public (social) housing to middle- and low-income families. At the same time, it relies on the private commercial housing market to meet the needs of higher-income groups.
Several natural disasters have led to homelessness in China. The 2000 Yunnan earthquake left 92,479 homeless and destroyed over 41,000 homes.
In 2018, number of homeless people counted in Japan was 4,977 (4,607 males, 177 females and 193 people of obscurity). In 2020, the number of homeless counted was 3,992 (3,688 males, 168 females and 136 people of obscurity), a 12.4% decrease from 2019.
Homelessness Today
According to Rosstat, the government organization responsible for tracking homelessness in the Russian Federation, there are 64,000 homeless people in Russia.
Although, the rental housing sector is heavily regulated, the system is in favor of landlords. The landlord is covered by the guaranty money and there are no restrictions regarding discrimination of tenants.
The parks below towering skyscrapers have become the temporary homes of migrant workers with nowhere to sleep. In Satwa, a neighborhood in Dubai, only 25% of migrants still hold jobs and can afford to rent a room. Up to 750 workers who defaulted on their rent now sleep in public parks and parking lots.
Although homelessness is not completely eradicated in Finland — there are about 5,500 people who are still officially classified as homeless — these social programs are doing their part to keep people off the streets.
That's the approach that Finland took when it decided to address their homelessness problem, beginning with a comprehensive strategy to provide immediate, permanent housing for those who most needed it. As a result, Finland has become the leading example of how to drastically reduce homelessness.
Homelessness in Germany is a significant social issue, one that is estimated to affect around 678,000 people. Since 2014, there has been a 150% increase in the homeless population within the country due to the inclusion of refugees. Reportedly, around 22,000 of the homeless population are children.
The overall homeless population on a single night represents 0.2 percent of the U.S. population, or 17 people per 10,000 in the population. Rates of overall homelessness are highly uneven across States (figure 2).
The experience of Finland over the past several decades – during which the country has nearly eradicated homelessness – provides a glimpse of what can be possible with a sustained national strategy and enduring political will.
Worldwide, homelessness results from many factors, including drug addiction, mental health, housing options, education and government decisions. Japan's strict drug laws, mental health systems and housing options contribute to the countries low homeless population.
Apparently, these QR code beggars have become a common sight in China after the tech boom in the country. Reports tell that beggars in China have been using mobile payments to increase their chance of receiving alms. They can reportedly be found near tourist places and subway stations across all provinces of China.
In 2020, the average price of real estate in China was almost 9,900 yuan per square meter.
The rent in China is usually paid a month in advance. The duration of your stay will also determine which type of accommodation is most suitable for you. Depending on that, there are different ways to conduct your housing search. Most “regular” apartments can be rented for at least one year.
Finland Solves Its Homelessness by Providing Apartments for Anyone Who Needs One. Homelessness is a problem all over the world, but Finland is leading the way with an initiative that could provide a long-term solution. In 2008, the Northern European nation introduced the “Housing First” policy.
Two trends are largely responsible for the rise in homelessness over the past 20-25 years: a growing shortage of affordable rental housing and a simultaneous increase in poverty. Below is an overview of current poverty and housing statistics, as well as additional factors contributing to homelessness.
Finland is the only European Union country where homelessness is currently falling. The country has adopted a Housing First policy, whereby social services assign homeless individuals rental homes first, and issues like mental health and substance abuse are treated second.