The causes and effects of homelessness are widely discussed. Often these are interchangeable, for example unemployment could have caused someone to lose their home, but unemployment could also be the result of becoming homeless.

Figures from the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG), detailing priority homeless acceptances for 2004, reveal that triggers for homelessness broke down as follows:

• 38% because parents, relatives or friends were no longer able or willing to accommodate them
• 20% were due to a breakdown of a relationship with a partner
• 13% were due to an end of an assured short hold tenancy
• 5% due to the loss of other rented or tied housing
• 2% due to mortgage arrears
• 2% due to rent arrears
• 20% due to other reasons

In more general terms, the homeless population tend to have a higher incidence of the following than the population as a whole:

• Physical and/or mental health problems
• Substance misuse
• Unemployment
• Basic skills needs
• Dyslexia and other learning difficulties
• Experience of sexual or physical abuse
• Have spent time in care
• Have spent time in the armed forces
• Experience of the criminal justice system
• Relationship breakdown
• Problems accessing welfare benefits

Homeless people are a very disadvantaged and excluded group and this is highlighted in a number of ways:

• Difficulties in accessing social housing or private rented housing
• High rents in hostels can cause difficulties in finding work
• Temporary accommodation (such as hostels) are often difficult and insecure environments to live in, to establish routines or to plan ahead
• Poor access to medical services
• Difficulties in opening bank accounts and access to other mainstream services
• Stigma and harassment
• Discrimination
• Poverty

Without support, this can affect homeless people in a number of ways:

• Loss of self esteem
• Becoming institutionalised
• Deterioration of mental and physical health
• Increase in substance misuse
• Loss of ability and will to care for oneself
• Increased danger of abuse and violence
• Increased chance of entering the criminal justice system
• Development of behavioural problems