This paper aims to illustrate dynamic interaction between individual
characteristics/actions and structural/ institutional change that frame routes
into and exits from homelessness in Serbia, with particular focus on main
domains of housing exclusion according to the ETHOS typology. The paper is
informed by recently completed research consisting of questionnaires and
focus groups with people accommodated in shelters for homeless people in
the three biggest cities in Serbia. The main research findings show that
respondents are poorly covered by social services although exposed to the
risk of financial poverty due to high unemployment. Poverty exposes them to
the risk of housing exclusion because of unaffordable rents in the completely
unregulated private rental sector, and because access to social housing has
been dramatically reduced as a result of housing privatization. While the new
social housing sector (as safety net) has been slowly evolving it is inadequate
to meet the real housing needs. This situation, combined with poor information
about social housing options, discourages people at risk of housing exclusion
to claim their right to housing. Further, due to a rather high institutional
tolerance towards illegal construction the roofless situation is a less significant
factor of housing exclusion than expected.