The war in Ukraine has triggered a sharp rise in homelessness, creating a new social challenge that could have long-term consequences for the country's post-war recovery if vulnerable groups, particularly internally displaced people and military veterans, are not reintegrated into society quickly, reported the Depaul Ukraine charity in a recent study.

Experts estimate that more than 1mn people may now be homeless in Ukraine, a dramatic increase since Russia's 2022 invasion. While official data from the Ministry of Social Policy recorded only 12,451 homeless people as of Jan. 1, 2026, researchers estimate the actual number of people experiencing homelessness ranges between 57,000 and 121,000 using traditional definitions, with the broader figure exceeding 1mn once people living in insecure or temporary accommodation after displacement are included.

The findings illustrate how the war has fundamentally altered the profile of homelessness in Ukraine. Rather than being driven primarily by addiction or chronic unemployment, the phenomenon is increasingly linked to the destruction of housing, mass displacement and the broader economic disruption caused by the conflict.

According to the study, almost half of homeless people are internally displaced persons (IDPs), while roughly 22% said they became homeless directly because they were forced to flee their homes during the war. Analysts also reported a growing number of military veterans seeking assistance, with veterans now accounting for about 6% of the homeless population.

The findings challenge many long-standing stereotypes surrounding homelessness.

Researchers found that 63% of homeless respondents had never experienced alcohol dependency, while 92% said they had never used narcotics. Instead, the leading causes of homelessness were housing destruction caused by shelling and military operations, cited by 46% of respondents, followed by family conflicts at 22% and property fraud at 12%.

"The overwhelming majority of homeless people are not struggling with addiction but with the loss of housing and social support," the researchers concluded.

The demographic profile has also shifted significantly since the start of the war. Men account for 69% of the homeless population, while the largest age group is people between 41 and 59 years old. Women remain a minority, although aid organisations report that the number of homeless women has risen faster than that of working-age men, many of whom avoid shelters because of concerns related to mobilisation.

Researchers say one of the greatest risks lies in what they describe as the "moral career" of homelessness — the gradual psychological adaptation to life on the streets.

They estimate that this transformation typically occurs within three to six months after a person loses housing. Once this threshold is crossed, reintegration becomes substantially more difficult, as individuals increasingly begin to accept homelessness as a permanent way of life.

As a result, specialists argue that rapid intervention during the first months after displacement is critical.

More than 86% of respondents said they wanted assistance returning to stable housing and employment, while 58% remained optimistic about their future despite their circumstances.

Employment, however, remains scarce. About 78% of homeless people are unemployed, with only 6% holding permanent jobs. State benefits represent the primary source of income for 41% of respondents, while charitable organisations support another 18%.

Researchers found almost no specialised employment or vocational training programmes designed specifically for homeless people, despite widespread willingness among respondents to return to work.

Health presents another major challenge.

Nearly 60% of respondents described their health as poor or very poor. Only slightly more than half said they consistently received necessary medical treatment, while more than three-quarters lacked professional psychological support. Aid organisations also reported increasing demand for palliative and specialised medical care that existing shelters are not equipped to provide.

The study found public attitudes toward homelessness to be complex.

Although 89% of Ukrainians agreed homeless people should be regarded as full members of society and 64% said they felt sympathy when encountering homeless individuals, many stereotypes persist. Eighty percent believed most homeless people could work if they wanted to, while 70% continued to associate homelessness with addiction and 53% believed many people chose such a lifestyle voluntarily.

Experts argue these perceptions often translate into institutional discrimination, with homeless people frequently encountering difficulties accessing healthcare and public services because of missing documents, bureaucratic obstacles or social stigma.

Public confidence in government efforts also remains limited.

Only 18% of respondents approved of the central government's handling of homelessness, compared with 40% approval for local authorities and 64% for charities and non-governmental organisations.

Researchers said the Ministry of Social Policy lacks long-term strategic planning, while cooperation between the state and civil society remains fragmented. Most organisations working directly with homeless people continue to rely heavily on foreign funding rather than stable domestic support.

Analysts argue that as Ukraine prepares for post-war reconstruction, housing policy will become increasingly important not only from a humanitarian perspective but also for maintaining the country's labour force and supporting long-term economic recovery.

With internally displaced people and veterans accounting for a growing share of the homeless population, they say rapid access to housing, employment and social services could determine whether hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians successfully reintegrate into society or remain trapped in long-term homelessness.