An insight to homelessness

Homelessness is not a simple issue. There are lots of different types of homelessness.

Rough Sleeping

Rough sleeping is the most visible and dangerous form of homelessness, and when most people think of a homeless person they tend to think of someone sleeping rough on the streets. The longer someone experiences rough sleeping the more likely they are to face challenges around trauma, mental health and drug misuse.

Statutory homelessness

Local authorities have a duty to secure a home for some groups of people. This is often referred to as the main homelessness duty. Every year, tens of thousands of people apply to their local authority for homelessness assistance.

To be legally defined as homeless you must either lack a secure place in which you are entitled to live or not reasonably be able to stay. However, in order to receive assistance under the main homelessness duty, there are further strict criteria that you have to meet. Local authorities may initially provide temporary accommodation to households who might meet these criteria, mainly families with children.

Hidden homelessnes

Many people who are not entitled to help with housing, or who don't even approach their councils for help, aren't counted in the official statistics.

This is why Crisis carries out its annual study on core homelessness.

At risk of homelessness

Some people are more at risk of being pushed into homelessness than others. People in low paid jobs, living in poverty and poor quality or insecure housing are more likely to experience homelessness.

Temporary Accommodation

Temporary accommodation is a form of homelessness as despite providing invaluable shelter and residence for people, the people who use temporary accommodation desperately need a home as once their accommodation ends, they will become homeless.