HOMELESSNESS

What are some of the issues faced by homeless people?

Poor health: The relationship between poor health and homelessness is a two-way: both can contribute to the other. Studies have found that up to 85% of homeless people suffer from chronic health conditions (6)- Crisis UK report that 78% of homeless people have at least one physical health condition, whilst 44% have mental health diagnoses (7). 

This is further compounded by the fact that many homeless people face other severe disadvantages that prevent them from gaining adequate healthcare. Crisis UK reports that 2/3 of homeless people face severe or multiple disadvantages that prevent them from accessing healthcare they need (7). Such barriers include being unable to register for support (lack of

 address/ID), difficulty registering for GP services, and lack of holistic care (8).

 The incidence of illness and poor health is elevated in homeless people for almost any complication you coud mention. These include but are not limited to (6):

Alcohol/drug overdose: deaths due to intentional or unintentional overdose are common;

Frostbite/hypothermia: exposure related deaths are not uncommon;

Severe sunburn/heatstroke;

Chronic pain and musculoskeletal disorders: often linked to inability to afford prescriptions and poor sleeping conditions. Some people turn to drugs or alcoholism to cope with chronic pain. 

Skin and foot problems: an often overlooked complication resulting from being out and about for long periods in ill fitted socks or shoes;

Infectious diseases, due to compromised immune systems and overcrowding in shelters;

Dental problems;

Respiratory illness;

Mental health issues

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Increased exposure to violence: Homeless people disproportionately receive violent treatment and abuse. For instance, one Toronto study found that in the year prior, 40% of homeless people had been assaulted, and 21% of homeless women had been raped (6). Other studies have shown homeless men are around 9 times more likely to be murdered than housed men (6).

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Hunger and malnutrition: Experiencing homelessness can lead to a lack of basic needs being met, including food security. Poor nutrition can lead to a number of chronic conditions over time, as well as fatigue and weakness in the short term. Hunger also often precedes homelessness, as peopple forced to choose between paying for housing or groceries will more often than not choose not to buy groceries (9).

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Loneliness: According to a survey by Crisis UK in 2015, 77% of homeless people sometimes or often suffer from loneliness. In recent years loneliness has quickly become recognised as having serious implications for health and wellbeing. Research has linked social isolation and loneliness to "higher risks for a variety of physical and mental conditions: high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and even death" (10, 11).

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Being homeless means more than being without a home: it is linked to breakdown of personal and social relationships, and the distancing from connections and support (12). Constantly being on the receiving end of verbal and physical abuse means homeless people loneliness can become entrenched: in an emergency, only 23% of homeless people surveyed feel they can call on a friend (12). In addition, 66% of homeless people said they are treated differently by members of the public, while more than 70% of homeless people feel like others treat them as if homelessness was their fault, or are ashamed with the stigma associated with homelessness (12). Quotes below from homeless people are taken from (12).

“Just telling someone, ‘oh, I’m homeless’ just felt like, shit, I’m a tramp.” -Joel 

“I haven’t seen them [children] for two years due to my divorce, since then – my life has been rock bottom. I’ve tried to get back into society, but when you’re homeless people look down on you…in general…can’t trust you…it’s hard.” -Illyas

“Nobody wants to talk to me, so you find yourself isolated cos they don’t understand
you.” -Robin

Homeless people are already 9 times more likely to commit suicide than the general population. Feeling ignored, and facing hostility/ apathy from the general public makes life far harder, discourages access of support services (12). 

One of they key ways to alleviate loneliness that people who have experience homeless have identified is for members of the public to simply "stop and take time to talk to us". Feeling acknowledged and listened to is crucial in enabling homeless people to reach out and access support services, and eventually get off the streets.

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Head to the forum for more info on what we can do to help end homelessness.