Frequently asked questions

The vast majority of people don't want to be on the streets, and even for those who appear to be intentionally homeless, very often there are underlying causes. A person's previous experiences (such as being a victim of abuse in childhood, or other trauma) may have made them distrustful of other people; they may have completely lost confidence or hope; or they may have substance abuse or mental health issues that have made it very difficult for them to engage with support services in a sustained way. It's hard to say whether anyone really chooses to be homeless therefore.

Entitlement to accommodation isn’t always a given. Until recently, people sleeping rough have had to be able to prove a connection to the local area before being considered eligible for housing. Many others who aren’t UK nationals, including many EU citizens, aren’t entitled to any help because they don’t have recourse to public funds.

Even for those who are entitled to help (and who know how to access support) availability can be a major issue. There’s limited hostel space and a chronic lack of longer-term housing stock. Local authorities allocate their limited housing stock to people deemed to have ‘priority need’ (like families), and this often doesn’t include people who are sleeping rough. 

The Homelessness Reduction Act means that councils now have an increased duty of care to people who are homeless or at risk of it, meaning that people are entitled to support regardless of priority need and intentionality. Nevertheless, it’s clear that far more money needs to be made available for hostel space, longer-term housing and wider support for people sleeping rough, so that they are able to escape the damaging effects of life on the streets.

It's a personal choice. On the one hand, giving money can make us feel like we're doing something to offer immediate practical help to someone in clear distress, and it's a kindness that makes people feel seen. On the other hand though, it may not necessarily be that helpful to the person's situation in the long-run, something which can be difficult to establish when meeting someone only briefly.

It's worth bearing in mind that roughly a third of people sleeping rough in London struggle with problematic alcohol use, the same proportion substance use, and roughly half are suffering from poor mental health, with only 28% not having alcohol, substance use or mental health support needs. Therefore, in some of those situations giving money may in fact be prolonging someone's time on the streets by helping them to sustain a street lifestyle, and may be allowing them to sustain a habit of damaging alcohol or drug use that is causing them serious damage.

Ultimately the goal is to help people off the streets for good, so it's worth bearing in mind that most people really need sustained support to end their homelessness, and giving your money to homelessness services is usually a surer way to do this. 

Some ways you can help individuals you may see include:

• Acknowledge them - smile and say hello, respond if they speak to you, stop for a chat if you like. It's important people don't feel invisible. 
• Refer the person through StreetLink, which connects rough sleepers to local support services.
• If you'd like to give them something, you could ask if they'd like anything to eat or drink. 

On an individual level, we know that intensive, personalised support can make all the difference to helping people off the streets for good.

People who become homeless need varying levels of support; for some, targeted support with employment or accommodation may be enough. Others, especially those with complex issues, may require much longer term intervention. Ensuring that everyone has access to properly-funded services that will meet their individual needs is key to helping people end their homelessness.

At the societal level, there are a number of things that would help reduce and prevent homelessness:

• A legal right to housing, with safe emergency and temporary housing available to anyone who needs it
• More affordable homes, e.g. social housing and provision of housing subsidies
• Greater protection for private renters
• Ensuring wages keep up with increases in house prices
• Support for those at risk of becoming homeless, including people leaving institutions such as prison, hospitals and care
• Adequate access to advice and support services for people who become homeless

Homelessness affects people from many different backgrounds for any number of reasons. Without a strong system of support around a person, one incident can spark a chain of events that lead to homelessness. Triggers include:

• Marriage or relationship break-up
• Addiction to/dependence on alcohol, prescription or illegal drugs, or gambling
• Job loss, which leads to repossession or inability to pay rent
• Mental illness
• Physical illness
• Escaping an abusive relationship
• Getting into debt
• Death of a loved one
• Leaving institutions (such as army or prison)

Once a person finds him/herself homeless and on the fringes of society, it can be extremely difficult to get back into an everyday routine of secure housing and employment. There are the obvious practical challenges such as finding somewhere to live, sorting out finances and rebuilding relationships, but also the experience of homelessness often leads to or exacerbates problems: illness, addiction, mental illness, isolation and loss of confidence resulting from low self-esteem are just some of the demoralising consequences of experiencing homelessness. Returning to a structured life and re-engaging with society can be a long and pain-staking process.

A report by Shelter estimated that on any given night in 2023, more than 309,000 people in England were homeless (mostly people living in temporary accommodation arranged by their council).

More than half of these people (167,000) were in London, with 1 in 51 people homeless in the capital.

The ten local authorities with the highest concentrations of homelessness in England (people living in temporary accommodation or rough sleeping) are all in the capital. Newham has the highest rate with 1 in 20 people homeless.

Last year nearly 12,000 people slept rough on London's streets.

Some ways you can help individuals you may see include:

• Acknowledge them - smile and say hello, respond if they speak to you, stop for a chat if you like. It's important people don't feel invisible.
• Refer the person through StreetLink, which connects rough sleepers to local support services
• If you'd like to give them something, you could ask if they'd like anything to eat or drink.
• Donating your time or money to local homelessness services.