Examining the Racial Differences on Reasons for Homelessness, South Africa: Evidence from Census 2022

Omphemetse Moche, Statistics South Africa
Lutendo Malisha, Statistics South Africa

Research has shown racial disparities in the experience of homelessness, making South Africa the most unequal country in the world even after 30 years of democracy. Systematic racial discrimination under apartheid policies significantly contributed to this inequality. Therefore, investigating the main reasons individuals find themselves homeless in South Africa by racial group is crucial. This study uses 2022 Census data to report on key indicators, with descriptive statistics performed. The study will further conduct rates of homelessness by each racial group in the country. In addition, the risk factors will be assessed using the logistic regression to evaluate the subset of factors that best predicted homelessness in South Africa. The Census 2022 results revealed a total of 55 719 homeless persons in South Africa. The findings show that Black African in South Africa have the highest rate of homelessness followed by the coloured racial group. The disproportionality in homelessness is a by-product of systemic inequity which shows the lingering effects of the apartheid regime that continues to perpetuate differences in critical areas that impact rates of homelessness. The main reasons provided by the homeless population regardless of their race are deeply rooted in poverty (no income, no jobs).

Keywords: Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination, Population and Development

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