Nobody ever chooses homelessness; it is a devastating experience for individuals and for families. It disrupts virtually every aspect of family life, damaging the physical and emotional health of family members, interfering with children’s education and development, and frequently resulting in the separation of family members. Homeless people are often lonely and disconnected.
Homelessness for many people is not simply a 'housing problem'. Social, economic and individual factors also have an influence on whether someone becomes homeless.
The 'individual' risk factors associated with homelessness include:
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Poverty
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Unemployment
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Family disputes and breakdown
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Sexual or physical abuse
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A background of residential care
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Experience of prison or the armed forces
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Drug or alcohol misuse
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School exclusion
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Poor mental or physical health
The specific events which 'trigger' homelessness include:
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Leaving the parental home after arguments
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Marital or relationship breakdown
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Eviction
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Widow hood
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Discharge from the armed forces
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Leaving care
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Leaving prison
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A sharp deterioration in mental health or an increase in alcohol or drug misuse