The article discusses the objectives and results of research seeking a better understanding of the everyday lives of street homeless people during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the context of welfare initiatives to support such individuals. The research, featuring interviews, took place in Krakow (Poland) between December 2020 and March 2021. Street homeless people were asked about changes in their everyday lives and whether they used any forms of support. To determine the response of institutions and state authorities to the situation of homeless people during the pandemic, interviews were held with experts and an analysis of the contents of official documents and press publications online was carried out. The analysis of materials was based on reduction, representation and formatting of data. The results of the research provided an insight into participants’ everyday lives and shed light on selected aspects of the operation of the welfare system during the pandemic. It was determined that, while welfare initiatives at a local level were innovative and actively reached those in need, the effectiveness of the system was limited. During the pandemic, problems evident beforehand – street homeless people’s lack of trust in the institutional welfare system, objectification and pretence of state action, inadequacies in intersectoral and interministerial cooperation – became particularly visible and acute.