There are many organisations like Simon on the Streets trying to do their bit in supporting those experiencing homelessness. But as we all know, the issue is a complex one, and there is no one single approach or solution.
People may find themselves facing homelessness for many different reasons. Trauma, addiction, poverty, to name just a few. That’s why collaboration with other charities and agencies is something we embrace, to ensure that the people we work with get the support that they need at every turn.
Here we’d like to shine a light on the other support services we work with as we strive to end the cycle of homelessness.
Housing providers
There’s an ongoing conversation around responsible housing - both in social housing and the private rental sector. Worryingly, there are an increasing number of stories coming to light about illnesses, and even fatalities due to poor and inadequate living conditions.
Our society is still one that very much idealises home-ownership, making it increasingly difficult for those renting or in social housing. Add long waiting lists and difficulties proving eligibility for housing, and you can see why many feel the system needs a complete overhaul.
In the last decade, our housing system has seen almost as many ministers, with no one seeming to commit to change. Could a dedicated, long-term person at helm bring about infrastructural reform?
Immigration services
For those who have fled their home country because of conflict or persecution, finding themselves homeless at the other end adds additional trauma on top of what has already been a highly distressing time.
While asylum seekers can be granted accommodation, this is often temporary (BnBs, hotels or hostels) and this can be extremely unsettling.
While there are a number of localised organisations trying to tackle the issues faced by people arriving in this country, there’s still a long way to go. Organisations such as PAFRAS are doing fantastic work here, and we often refer the people we work with to them for the right support.
Drug and alcohol services
Difficulties with substance abuse can be both the reason someone might experience homelessness, but also a consequence. We have to remember that many people will turn to drugs and alcohol as a way of coping with other challenges or difficulties in their life. This can quickly lead to financial, domestic and relationship breakdown. It’s important to understand that no one chooses addiction, as this is a very common stereotype that those dealing with homelessness are often faced with.
Until someone has the safe space to get to the root cause of these problems, it’s unlikely they can fully enter recovery from addiction. They need to be supported in finding other ways of healing and coping. It’s not enough to simply put a plaster on it (detoxing in hospital for example) and hoping it goes away.
In recent years, Leeds has seen substantial investment into services in this area, and whilst there’s still work to be done, having services we can turn to when the people we work with require support is vital.
Mental and physical health services
Statistics from The Mental Health Foundation reported that as many as 80% of people going through homelessness reported that they had a mental health issue, and 45% had been formally diagnosed.
The physical toll of sleeping rough is impossible to ignore. The average age of death among the homeless population is significantly lower than the general population at just 47 years of age, compared to 77. Many experience conditions commonly related to old age, such as musculoskeletal conditions and respiratory illnesses.
In the UK, there are still significant barriers to healthcare for those facing homelessness. Having to provide proof of address for a GP registration, rigid appointments and stigma all contribute to this ongoing problem.
Primary healthcare service outreach may well be a source of help for those facing homelessness, enabling them to access the help that they need, but only time will tell.
If we want to effectively tackle homelessness, it’s really going to take a team effort.
If you’d like to do your bit to help, please consider supporting the ongoing outreach work of Simon on the Streets. We’re often the first point of contact for those facing homelessness, and help to signpost them to the many services we’ve described.
We can only do it with your help. Can we count on you?