What causes homelessness?

The immediate cause of someone's homelessness can often be put down to:-

Either their family and friends are no longer able or willing to accommodate them. This could be because of relationship breakdown or financial strain among other issues.

Or they might have reached the end of a private rented Assured Shorthold Tenancy. The cost and shortage of housing can make it difficult to find a new home.

Behind this there can be a wide number of complex factors at play in people’s lives which may make them more vulnerable to homelessness. These can be either structural issues or individual circumstances and they are often interconnected. 

For example, the constant, strong pressure of high rents and low wages can build up on people. A sudden increase in pressure, like falling ill or losing their job, can force them into homelessness.

It is important to know that many of the factors that are commonly associated with rough sleeping such as alcoholism or drug abuse are often adopted as a result of becoming homeless, rather than being a cause.

Some recent research by Northumbria University and Oasis Community Housing revealed that 94% of people facing homelessness have experienced trauma. This is why Homeless Link promotes a Trauma Informed approach to supporting people experiencing homelessness