This study examines the longitudinal evolution of homelessness on the island during the 2018–2023 period, based on administrative data such as homelessness certificates and shelter facility data. Over the six-year period examined, homelessness certificates saw a steep rise, surging from 226 in 2018 to 1,478 in 2023, reflecting the increased contact of vulnerable individuals with municipal social services.

This increase exhibits strong spatial concentration, being driven almost entirely by the Municipality of Heraklion, which in 2023 accounted for 79% of total certificates in Crete (1,164 certificates), a development largely attributed to migration and refugee flows. By contrast, in the remaining regions of Crete (Chania, Lasithi, Rethymno), the trend remained stable or pointed downwards.

Meanwhile, the indicators of the two operational shelter facilities (in Heraklion and Chania) followed an inverse path, with beneficiaries declining from 45 in 2018 to 18 in 2023, and applications falling from 90 to 27. This inconsistency between the rise in homelessness certifications and the reduction in shelter usage highlights the need for a combined evaluation of the data in order to design more effective social interventions.