Socio-Economic Analysis of Homeless Population in Urban Areas a Case Study of Northern Ethiopia

Homeless is the condition of the people who are unwilling to maintain regular and adequate housing in both developed and developing countries. Present work was attempted with the objectives to address socio-economic conditions of the homeless people and identify the problem with respect to the homelessness at Mekelle city. On basis of random sampling four sub-cities were selected where by using purposive sampling 120 homeless households were sampled. Findings reveal that homeless population is a result of international and internal migration, 72% homeless population is either illiterate or poor in education. Casual/daily labour (64.7%), transportation (64.3%), pity trades (52%) are their main occupations, while restaurant workers, housemaids are among the females. They live rented houses, slums and under open sky where insufficient amenities are common.