Singapore’s rough sleeper count dips slightly in 2025; MSF to launch S$450,000 fund to tackle homelessness

A survey of rough sleepers was also conducted to find out more about what brought them to the streets, the types of locations they chose and the challenges they face. 

The month-long survey began on Jul 27, 2025, and included input from 128 rough sleepers – or 26 per cent of the number from the Jul 18 street count. 

MSF’s survey found that 77 per cent of respondents had been sleeping rough for more than a year, and 70 per cent said it was not their first time sleeping rough. 

“This suggests that some may be entrenched, possibly due to the complex and interconnected issues they face, and their reluctance to seek help despite the various support offered,” the report said. 

Despite this, nearly half of those surveyed (47 per cent) had a home to return to. 

This includes public rental flats (17 per cent), purchased properties (16 per cent) and homes belonging to a family member, relative or friend (13 per cent) that they could live in.

“These findings highlight that rough sleeping may not always be driven by a lack of housing options but can stem from complex personal circumstances that make returning home untenable,” the report noted.