About Homelessness
Homelessness is a massive problem here in the UK and especially in city centres and large towns. More and more people feel they have no choice except to sleep rough on the streets and this is a trend that does not look set to abate. Even with the invaluable assistance provided by homeless shelters and charities across the country, there has been a 17% increase in the number of homeless households in the country in the past 12 months alone.
There are many reasons for homelessness and the recent recession has seen many more people out of work and fearing the loss of their homes. For some, that fear has become a reality although financial status is actually only one cause of homelessness. Illness, the breakdown of family relationships, and drug and alcohol addiction are other common causes of homelessness.
The homeless problem is a predominantly male one with more than three quarters of those living on the streets being male. 64% have substance abuse related problems and the same percentage has physical health complaints with 70% suffering mental health problems. Nearly half (48%) are ex-offenders or have spent time in prison showing another worryingly high figure and one that does not appear to be slowing even over the space of several years
A person’s problems are only just beginning when they find themselves forced out onto the streets too. Having no permanent address makes it impossible to get a bank account or hold down a job. It’s very difficult indeed to find medical treatment and even more difficult to find help with drug and alcohol abuse problems. Initiatives are being started and progressed in a bid to try and counteract the very real homelessness problem that faces the UK and help is available for most that want it.
Homelessness is a serious problem that faces every city in the country. London alone sees hundreds of people sleeping the streets every night and many more times this amount living in accommodation that has been designed specifically for use by the homeless. Without greater intervention from the government and the public, though, the problem is only likely to worse in the future.
St Mungos is a homeless shelter based in London that not only provides emergency homeless services but also aims to help beat homelessness especially through their support for the “No Second Night Out” initiative.
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