Trends, policies and results of homelessness in Croatia from the 1990s to the legislative regulation of the legal status of the homeless and the acquisition of membership in the European Union are presented. Civil society is recognized as an indispensable stakeholder in the design and delivery of services to the homeless and as a support for institutions, thus strengthening the model of combined social policy. For better understanding of the contribution of civil society in the field of homelessness, a qualitative survey was conducted. Five representatives of NGOs from five different Croatian cities, which directly provide various services to the homeless, were interviewed. Respondents provide insight into their views on their own contributions, identified challenges and potentials, and on the possibilities of establishing cooperation with other relevant stakeholders. NGOs recognize their contribution to the provision of a wide range of services, while they recognize the advantages of working independently, more freely and more quickly than other responsible actors. The challenges they face can be divided into three categories - characteristics related to users, difficulties with bureaucracy and difficulties in the organizational and financial activities of associations. Participants recognize the importance of social innovation, but encounter problems in their implementation due to the lack of support from central, regional and local authorities. The importance of the contribution of volunteer engagement has been recognized, and the willingness of the community to help is great. Although open to cooperation, the associations face obstacles in realizing its full potential.