From de Shelter to the Samrtphone: Trasnformations in the digital connectivity of homelessness in Spain

Abstract

Digital exclusion constitutes one of the new expressions of social and housing inequality in increasingly digitalized societies. Among people experiencing homelessness, technological connectivity intertwines with the absence of stable housing, affecting their opportunities for social participation, access to rights, and exercise of digital citizenship. The objective of this study is to analyze the current situation and evolution of internet access and use among homeless people in Spain, identifying differences by gender and origin. The methodology follows a quantitative approach based on a comparative analysis of microdata from the Homeless People Surveys conducted by the National Statistics Institute (INE), complemented with data from the Survey on ICT Equipment and Use in Households. The results show a significant increase in connectivity within this group: while only 46.1% had internet access in 2012, the figure rose to 73.2% in 2022. The difference with respect to the general population has narrowed, although a structural gap of 21.3 percentage points remains. The gender difference has notably decreased—with very similar access levels among men (73.6%) and women (72.2%)—while foreign-born individuals display higher connectivity rates (80%), mainly related to communication needs and administrative procedures. The smartphone has become the dominant means of access (80.4%), replacing computers available in shelters. In conclusion, although connectivity has improved, forms of digital exclusion persist, linked to technological precariousness and limited digital skills. The discussion argues that effective digital inclusion requires public policies that integrate access, support, and digital literacy, in coordination with broader strategies for social and housing inclusion.