About Homelessness

Homelessness affects thousands of people every year and the reality is that it can happen to anyone. The visible side of homelessness is people sleeping on the streets (rough sleepers). There are many more people in our community who are homeless but are less visible. For many, homelessness is the result of a crisis in their lives. With the right supports they can be supported out of homelessness.

Generally, the experiences that lead to homelessness are underpinned by poverty and structural inequality. Causes tend to be divided into the following:

Structural Causes

These can include poverty, unemployment, and lack of good quality, affordable housing.

Institutional Causes

Young people leaving care or people leaving mental institutions or prison are at higher risk of homelessness.

Relationship Causes

This can include an abusive relationship or family breakdown. Death in a family can also be a cause of homelessness.

Personal Causes

This can include mental illness, learning difficulties, problematic alcohol or/and drug use as they may find it difficult to manage the home they are in.