In Košice, more and more so-called ležovisko (makeshift sleeping places) are appearing. These are improvised sleeping spots set up under bushes with mattresses or cardboard. This problem is becoming more noticeable, especially in the city center, and it turns out it does not only affect homeless people.
Who is setting up these "sleeping spots" and why?
The mayor of the Košice – Juh (South) borough, Anna Súkeníková, spoke about a case where four adult men were found during an inspection. They smelled of alcohol and cigarettes. It turned out they were not homeless people but residents from other parts of Košice. An even more absurd situation happened on the same street, closer to the historical center. A man and a woman were found there. They live on Jarmočná street but decided not to go home after drinking alcohol and taking medicine. They gathered their belongings and left without any problems.
Local residents complain about the mess and the unpleasant appearance of these places. Similar problems are also seen in the Košice – Západ (West) borough, where mattresses, clothes, and various trash are found among the bushes.
What are the authorities doing?
The mayor of the Košice – Západ borough, Marcel Vrchota, mentioned that they find and remove these ležovisko themselves. The number of these places can reach hundreds per year. The city also works with the municipal police to remove them. However, new places often appear faster than they can be cleaned up.
According to the 2025 census, 2,300 homeless people were identified in Košice. About 150 of them live directly on the streets. The highest number of such people are found in the Old Town, the Luník IX district, and the southern district.
Košice spokesperson Dušan Tokarčík explained that if people drink alcohol, litter public places, or behave noisily or offensively, they can be fined by the municipal police. However, collecting these fines is often difficult.
The city authorities of Košice, together with non-governmental organizations and the police, are working to solve the problem of homelessness. In 2025, a working group was created to develop specific solutions based on the data collected.
Where to seek help?
If you or someone you know is in a difficult life situation that could lead to homelessness, or if you need social support, various organizations and services are available in Košice. The city of Košice, district administrations, and partner organizations offer social counseling, care services, social housing, meals for seniors, community center services, and shelters.
Foreigners who have permanent or temporary residence in Slovakia are also entitled to social services. For basic information, you can contact the First Contact Office at the Košice city administration.
Additionally, the DEDO Foundation actively works to solve the problem of family homelessness, providing support and promoting social integration.
You can learn more about the problem of homelessness in Košice on the STVR website.
Source: spravy.stvr.sk
