Homelessness
Tonight, someone will sleep rough for the first time. It will be uncomfortable, lonely and
potentially life-threatening.
What can "homelessness" mean?
Sleeping rough
Sleeping rough is when someone is sleeping on the streets. It is the most visible form of homelessness.
Being Homeless
Being homeless is not necessarily sleeping rough, but being in unstable accommodation such as a hostel, B&B, or another type of temporary home.
Sofa surfing
Sofa surfing is moving between friends' or relatives' houses. It can also be known as "hidden homelessness"
Causes of homelessness
While each person’s story is unique, there are factors that can contribute to why people find themselves facing homelessness. This can be a result of individual circumstances, a relationship breakdown, bereavement, or mental health issues which can be exacerbated by wider social and economic factors. Homelessness is complex but it is not inevitable.
Homelessness can happen to anyone, but sadly the stigma towards certain groups can make sleeping rough even more dangerous.
Black people are three times more likely to experience homelessness.
25% of trans people have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives.
The average age of death for a man who dies whilst homeless is 45 and for women it’s 41.
69% of people we work with experience issues with their mental health.
Almost 20% of people who identify as LGBTQIA+ have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives.