Social justice is often presented as a concept that concerns only “the most vulnerable.” In reality, it lies at the heart of social life and affects a much larger portion of the population than we might think; not just the groups typically labeled as vulnerable. Its absence becomes increasingly visible in the daily lives of people who, despite participating in social and economic life, struggle to secure dignified living conditions.

This reality is reflected daily in the work of SolidarityNow. Poverty and precariousness no longer affect only those outside the labor market or without insurance. They increasingly affect people who work, receive pensions, or are insured, who, in theory, shouldn’t need support from civil society organizations. And yet, they do.

We meet people who are employed or live on low pensions, with insurance coverage, but cannot afford co-pays for medical exams or endure the waiting times of the public healthcare system. Families with a total income of around €800, half of which goes solely to rent. On paper, they aren’t considered “uncovered,” but in practice, they cannot meet basic health and living needs. Even a single unexpected medical expense can completely disrupt their monthly budget. This is confirmed in Greece’s annual poverty report, which highlights the inability to cover basic needs even for people with stable employment.

The situation is even more challenging for refugees and migrants. These are people who work or try to work, living under the same housing and financial pressures, yet they are often excluded from most social benefits until they have legally resided in Greece for many years. For housing benefits, five years of residence are required, and the same applies to basic family allowances, leaving those with real needs administratively excluded from social protection.

Available data confirms the problem. Research by diaNEOsis shows that despite reforms and improvements in some indicators, Greece’s benefits system remains fragmented. There are many categories and a large number of allowances, with significant dispersion of resources and often small, piecemeal benefits that are insufficient to cover actual living costs.

At the core of this reality is the housing problem. Lack of access to affordable, dignified housing has become a key driver of poverty. At the SolidarityNow Centers, we meet homeless people and individuals facing housing insecurity from a broad range of social groups: people without legal documentation, EU citizens, recognized refugees and former unaccompanied minors, as well as Greek citizens. Housing insecurity permeates a large part of society and reveals the limits of existing social policies.

Over the last five years, housing costs have increased by 28.34%, according to the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) Consumer Price Index, with rents in 2025 showing a nationwide rise of 8.44%, demonstrating that the pressure is no longer confined to large urban centers. In the same period, energy costs have risen cumulatively by 40.5%. In this environment, Eurostat data for 2024 shows that 35.5% of Greek households’ disposable income goes directly to housing-related expenses, rent or mortgages, energy costs, taxes, and fees for primary residence. This is the highest share in the European Union, compared to a European average of 19.2%, meaning that over a third of income is spent just to have a roof over one’s head.

Public solutions are limited and often insufficient. Shelters have waiting lists and limited stays, while the private rental market is prohibitive even for employed individuals. Within this context, civil society strives to act as a safety net. SolidarityNow intervenes by bridging gaps between social welfare, housing, and employment. Yet, no matter how critical this intervention is, it remains inherently limited. Without comprehensive housing and social protection policies that reflect the real cost of living, social justice remains an unmet goal. Housing, healthcare, and dignified living are prerequisites for social justice. Without integrated policies in these areas, poverty and precariousness will continue to be systematically reinforced.