In the England approximately 500 people sleep outside each night. This is a significant decrease compared with a decade ago when that statistic was nearly 2,000, four times as many. Over half of these spend their nights on the streets of London. In total about 380,000 are classified as homeless in the UK. This statistic includes those sleeping in hostels (permanently), homeless shelters and on other people’s floors.
Youth homelessness is a particular problem with a quarter of homeless people in the UK aged between 18 and 25. 6% are over the age of 60. The number of homeless male’s way outweighs their female counterparts, with 80% or more being male. The number of women who are homeless is rising though, while the male statistic is falling.
Ethnic minorities account for 25% of homeless people in the UK. Although this is only a quarter of the homeless total, it is relatively high, because the number of people in total who are from ethnic minority backgrounds is significantly less than that.
Up to a third of homeless people were at some point in care when they were a child. This suggests that the authorities are not dealing with children in care as well as they should be. The statistics show that those in care have a significant higher change of being homeless once they reach adulthood. Around 65% of the homeless population have no qualification, which shows the importance education, or lack of education, can have on people lives. Many people become homeless due to no unemployment and lack of career prospects.
Many homeless people come from homes where stepparents were involved. This suggests they may have become disillusioned with family life and felt they had no choice but to leave despite having nowhere to go. It is no surprise that a high number of homelessness is a result of violence at home. 45% had previously experienced violence at home, so it is understandable that they decided to leave. Half of homeless people have been to prison at some point. Some would suggest this shows the lack of help available to those released from prison and that many have nowhere to go afterwards. In fact 30% are said to have nowhere to go and end up on the streets immediately.
Although many accuse the homeless of being to blame for their own problems, statistics show that 38% of them don’t. They have no other alternative, with no option to live with family or friends.
If it isn’t already prior to homelessness, addiction becomes a problem for many when they have nowhere to live. 81% are addicted to alcohol or drugs. 65% are homeless because of previous addiction problems, but 80% of the homeless have started using a new drug since being on the streets. This shows that the problems of homelessness can spiral out of control and can lead to many more serious problems. 40% of beggars started because they were attempting to feed an addiction.
Unsurprisingly as they are often on the streets and vulnerable, the homeless are much more likely to be a victim of crime; both those committed by other homeless people or others. Life expectancy is much lower than the general public. Life expectancy for the homeless is only 42%, while it is between 74% and 79% for others. Suicide is also more common; with 35 times more homeless suicides than non-homeless suicides.
These statistics show the many problems homelessness can eventually lead to, and shows the importance of helping the homeless before it is too late.
*The statistics quoted above where taken between 2005 and 2008.
Andrew Marshall (c)
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