Homelessness: Understanding the Causes and Reality

Homelessness is not simply about not having a roof over your head. It can mean sleeping on the streets, moving between friends or relatives, living in temporary accommodation, staying in a hostel, or living somewhere that is not suitable or safe.

For many people, homelessness is the result of several difficulties coming together rather than one single event.

The reality of homelessness

The consequences can be severe. People experiencing homelessness are at significantly greater risk of poor physical and mental health, violence, exploitation and premature death.

Office for National Statistics figures show that an estimated 974 people died while homeless in England and Wales in 2025. The average age at death was just 47 for men and 43 for women.

People sleeping rough are also particularly vulnerable to violence and crime. Without a safe and secure place to live, it can be much harder to access healthcare, maintain employment, manage money, keep important documents safe or stay connected with family and support networks.

Why do people become homeless?

There is no single reason why someone becomes homeless. Often, it is a combination of financial pressures, housing problems and difficult life circumstances.

• The cost of housing is one of the most significant factors. Rents can be unaffordable, deposits and rent in advance can be difficult to find, and a person who loses their income may quickly fall behind with their housing costs.

• Poverty and low income can leave very little room for unexpected expenses. A rise in bills, a reduction in working hours, benefit problems or an unexpected expense can be enough to make someone's housing unaffordable.

• Relationship breakdown can also lead to homelessness. Someone may have to leave their home following a separation or family breakdown and have nowhere suitable to go.

• Domestic abuse is another important cause. Leaving an abusive relationship can mean leaving behind a home, belongings, finances and support networks. For some people, finding somewhere safe to live becomes an immediate priority.

• Loss of employment can have a major impact, particularly when someone has little or no savings. Losing a job can quickly lead to rent arrears and mounting bills.

• Health problems can affect a person's ability to work, manage finances or maintain their housing. Physical illness, disability and mental health difficulties can all contribute to housing insecurity, particularly where appropriate support is not available.

• Addiction and substance misuse can also be part of the picture for some people. These issues can affect relationships, employment, finances and health. It is important, however, not to assume that addiction is the reason someone is homeless. For some people, substance misuse begins or becomes worse after they have lost their home.

• Leaving care, prison or the armed forces can also create a period of considerable vulnerability if someone does not have suitable accommodation or support in place when they leave.

For others, homelessness follows a sudden crisis such as:

• bereavement

• eviction

• family breakdown

• loss of employment

  Sometimes several of these problems happen at the same time.

Homelessness can happen to people from many different backgrounds

There is no single profile of a homeless person.

Some people are sleeping rough. Others are staying temporarily with friends or relatives, moving from sofa to sofa, living in emergency accommodation or staying in hostels.

Some may still be working. Others may be unable to work because of illness, disability or circumstances beyond their control.

A person can have a job, receive benefits or have previously had a settled home and still become homeless.

Once someone becomes homeless, problems can become harder to solve

Losing a home can make existing difficulties much more complicated.

Without a fixed address, it can be harder to receive post, keep appointments, store medication, maintain employment or complete paperwork. Lack of sleep and the stress of living without security can affect physical and emotional wellbeing.

Finding accommodation can also be difficult without identification, a bank account, a deposit, references, proof of income or the money needed to secure a tenancy.

This is why support needs to look beyond providing somewhere to sleep.

A hot meal, a safe place to talk and someone willing to listen can be the starting point for helping someone address the wider issues affecting their life. From there, practical support with housing, benefits, health, employment, identification, finances and other problems can help someone begin to move forward.

Homelessness is complicated, but people experiencing it should never be defined by where they sleep or by the circumstances that brought them there.

At Newbury Soup Kitchen, food is often the open door. It gives us an opportunity to build trust, listen without judgement and help people with the issues that may be keeping them trapped in homelessness or hardship.

If you need help or you know someone who needs advice and support please look at our information by clicking on the orange GET HELP button, there will be lots of information to help you.