Factors Influencing Homelessness

Homelessness in the United Kingdom is defined as a person without a home that is on the streets (Shelter, 2017). This can include rough sleepers, those that have been, or are about to be, evicted from a property with nowhere to go and those living in hostels or refuges. This essay will explore and discuss the varying factors that can cause and influence homelessness and the physical, psychological and social consequences on those that are homeless. Finally, it will identify and discuss good practice guidance for health and social care professionals when working with homeless people.

There are many factors that can cause or influence homelessness in the United Kingdom. It is a common belief that people are two pay cheques away from homelessness

According to Marianne van den Bree (2009) 58% of respondents to research she carried out claimed to have been abused during their childhood. This research suggests that to those that have been subjected to emotional, sexual and physical abuse are more likely to end up homeless. Many ex-service personnel find it hard to adjust to civilian life and some leave the forces with psychological disorders, such as post traumatic stress disorder. This makes it very difficult for them to find a job and maintain a household. Approximately 1200 people leaving the forces every year experience homelessness (Royal British Legion, ND) it is claimed that many of these people are becoming homeless soon after leaving the forces is due to psychological disorders. Although this claim has been made by the Royal British Legion it is also acknowledged that it can be uncertain due to the itinerancy of the homeless community and the lack of will to seek treatment for their issues. The psychological effects of being homeless, such as stress and sadness, can cause the person to spiral if they are already suffering with mental health problems which can make an issue become hard to treat. The psychological impacts can cause homeless people to develop

Social impacts on the homeless person tend to be issues such as a lack of friends and family support, isolation from the local community due to the stigma attached to homelessness and a deterioration in morals, as they are more likely to be exploited by criminals. A report into youth homelessness (Crisis, 2012) states that 34% of youth homeless, ages 18-25, have committed a minor crime such as shop lifting in the hope of spending a night in police custody. A further 17% had skipped bail or committed a serious crime to receive a prison sentence to get them off the streets for a while. It also reported that 11% of females had engaged in an unwanted sexual encounter to spend a night inside in a bed. This is worrying as it is showing that homeless people are not just resorting to crime to maintain basic needs such as shoplifting food, but they are also engaging in crime and risky behaviour to have a night in a bed. Due homeless people resorting to crime it costs society and the tax payer a considerable amount of money. The Department for Communities and Local Government (2012) states that it costs £3,500 to convict a male of shop lifting in the UK. These crimes are common place in the homeless community so cost to the taxpayer can be considered