A total of 179 people are homeless in Reykjavík, according to a new report by Reykjavík City Council welfare division. Most individuals are between 21 and 30 years old but the youngest is 18 years old and the oldest 75. More men than women are homeless, or 62 percent.
Reykjavík city hall. Photo by Páll Stefánsson.
According to the report, the majority of homeless people are happy with the services provided by the city but most said they would like 24-hour access to services, ruv.is reports.
The report also reveals that the majority of those registered as homeless are Icelandic citizens, or 160 of the total.
Around 93 of those registered as homeless are living in precarious conditions, 45 of whom are women. Twenty-two are listed as living on the streets, including eight women, and 29 live in long-term housing provided by city authorities, nine of which are women. Sixty are living in shelters, 23 of which are women.
Thirty-eight percent have been homeless for more than two years. Thirty-one percent of those who are homeless are suffering from mental health issues, the majority of which are related to drug or alcohol abuse.
ZR
