Ahead of Long Holiday, Bandung Social Affairs Office Intensifies Measures to Address Homelessness
Bandung City – The Bandung City Social Affairs Office (Dinsos) is set to intensify efforts to address homelessness, vagrancy, and begging in order to maintain public order, comfort, and the city’s image, particularly ahead of the upcoming long holiday. The move follows experiences during previous Christmas and New Year holidays, when the number of homeless people increased significantly, especially in the city center.
Throughout 2025, the number of homeless individuals in Bandung City has risen compared to the previous year. In general, the homeless population is classified into three categories—vagrants, beggars, and scavengers—all of which have shown an upward trend.
According to data from the Bandung City Social Affairs Office, the number of vagrants in 2025 reached 156 people, up from 113 in 2024. Of that total, 129 individuals have been assisted through the Unit Social Response (USR), while 27 others have yet to be reached.
Meanwhile, the number of beggars stood at 223 people, an increase from 188 the previous year, with 184 of them already receiving assistance. For the scavenger category, the figure reached 57 people, up from 41 in 2024.
Dinsos noted that the majority of homeless individuals in Bandung City come from outside the region. Among vagrants, around 125 people were migrants, while only 31 were local residents of Bandung City. The most common places of origin include Bandung Regency, Garut, and West Bandung. In 2025, approximately 10 homeless individuals were recorded as coming from outside Java Island.
Homeless individuals have been found across 16 to nearly 20 vulnerable locations, particularly in strategic areas and centers of urban activity. Common locations include Jalan Ir. H. Juanda, Jalan Merdeka, Taman Vanda, Jalan Riau–Lombok, Jalan Naripan–Tamblong, Taman Saparua, Taman Lalu Lintas, Simpang Lima–Asia Afrika, as well as the Braga and Cihampelas areas.
The presence of homeless individuals is considered to pose various problems, ranging from health risks and public order disturbances to a decline in the city’s aesthetics. In addition, aggressive begging practices have frequently drawn complaints from the public.
To address the issue, Dinsos will conduct intensive enforcement operations from early Friday morning through Sunday, followed by patrols during the day and afternoon. The operations will target vagrants, beggars, and cart-pushing individuals operating in public spaces.
Handling efforts will not stop at enforcement alone. Those apprehended will be taken to temporary shelters to undergo social rehabilitation as well as mental and spiritual guidance for seven days. Further assessments will then be conducted to determine the next steps, whether family reunification, repatriation to their regions of origin, or referrals to social institutions based on individual needs.
For homeless individuals from outside the region, Dinsos will coordinate with social affairs offices at the regency, city, or provincial levels in their places of origin. This approach is taken as some homeless individuals tend to return to the streets even after receiving assistance, primarily due to economic factors.
In addition, public awareness campaigns will be intensified in collaboration with the Communication and Information Office (Diskominfo), ATCS, and the Municipal Police (Satpol PP) to educate the public not to give money on the streets, as such practices are considered to prolong social problems.
These urban management and beautification measures are also aimed at supporting the tourism sector, as visitor numbers typically increase during long holidays, ensuring that Bandung City remains clean, orderly, and leaves a positive impression on visitors.
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