On this day, diverse campaigns aimed at providing support to the destitute, and raising awareness of the society about the problems of the homeless take place across the country.

The informal observance was first introduced by Marek Kotański, founder of the Monar a charity organisation treating drug addicts and Markot, and institution helping people come out of homelessness.

The idea of holding the Homelessness Awareness Day was devised by Krzysztof Cybruch, a longtime spokesman for Marek Kotański. It was launched in 1996. The number of homeless people is vague and is estimated between 30,000 to 300,000.