Status of Homeless Population in Urban Ethiopia: A Case Study of Amhara Region

Present work is an attempt to describe the socio-economic status of homeless people. It was conducted in Bahir Dar city of Amhara region with objectives to identify demographic characteristics and socio-economic status of the homeless population, and to describe problems faced by homeless people. On basis of random sampling four kebeles were selected where using purposive sampling 120 homeless households were sampled. The findings show that 80% homeless people arrived from hinterland of the city covering 60 km distance, who were mainly orthodox Christians and Muslims, nearly 80% were either illiterate or having only primary education. They performed economic activities as casual/daily labour, restaurant, hotel workers, housemaids, catching fish, selling agriitems and pity trades. They passed their live in rented houses, slums and along the roads where civic amenities were either absent or measurable.