Why do people become homeless?

Our society has changed greatly in the last few decades. Social problems such as family break-up and crime have increased as the bonds of society have loosened, and vulnerable people become homeless.

St Mungo's believes that homelessness is usually a symptom of more fundamental problems. Many rough sleepers are either mentally ill, physically ill, heavy drinkers or drug users. They usually have more difficult family backgrounds than most, which may lie at the root of many of these problems. Rough sleepers have often found it difficult to sustain close ties with others, and the break-up of a relationship is the most common trigger for going on the street.