WIDER POLICIES
Homelessness and Health

Within the single homelessness population, rough sleepers are clearly at high risk of poor health^[1] but research has also shown that all single homeless people have, on average, worse health than the population as a whole.^[2]  They are more likely to suffer from mental health problems and alcohol and drug misuse.  They are also at greater risk of physical illness and of contracting infectious diseases.  So, for example:

• Around a tenth of single people accepted as homeless are deemed to have mental health problems.^[3]
• The government estimates that a third of all single homeless people have at some point been problematic drug users.^[4]

Access to appropriate health care is therefore of paramount concern.  Crisis' research Critical condition: homeless people's access to GPs has estimated that homeless people are around 40 times more likely not to be registered with a GP than members of the general public.^[5]

End notes

[1] For example, a 2003 survey undertaken by ODPM 'Addressing the health needs of rough sleepers' suggested that three-fifths report a drug problem, half an alcohol problem, a third physical health problems and a third mental health problems. Back to text

[2] The last comprehensive comparison of health of single homeless people compared to the general population was Health of single homeless people, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 1994.  However, many subsequent projects have reinforced the link between poor housing/homelessness and poor health, among them: A future foretold: new approaches to meeting the long-term needs of single homeless people, Crisis, 1999; Healthy hostels: a guide to promoting health and well-being among homeless people, Health Action for Homeless People and Crisis, 2001; Critical condition: homeless people's access to GPs, Crisis, 2002; Pathways Through Homelessness: A Review of the Research Evidence, Scottish Homelessness Task Force, 2000; and Health and homelessness in London: a review, King's Fund, 1996. Back to text

[3] ODPM statistical releases on homelessness in England. Back to text

[4] Drug services for homeless people handbook, Home Office, Department of Health and ODPM, 2002. Back to text

[5] Critical condition: homeless people's access to GPs, Crisis, 2002: 37% of those interviewed were not registered with a GP compared to just 1% of the overall population. Back to text

Page last modified on 07/06/2006 at 13:52