Discovering and understanding under-served communities
People who are homeless or have no fixed address
People become homeless for a range of complex reasons including breakdown of relationships, financial reasons, sexual or physical abuse, mental health issues as well as a consequence of failures in the housing system.
According to one charity, a quarter of a million people in Britain are homeless. This includes:
- individuals sleeping rough or ‘sofa-surfing’
- people in temporary accommodation and hostels
- people waiting to be housed by social services
- Homeless Link (2014) The unhealthy state of homelessness: health audit results
- Shelter (2016) Briefing: Opposition Day Debate on Homelessness. Shelter.
Select which of the following statements are true or false?
Individuals experiencing homelessness have a life expectancy of 47 compared with 81 years in the general population.
Correct - It is true - Individuals experiencing homelessness have a life expectancy of 47 compared with 81 years in the general population .
Incorrect - It is true - Individuals experiencing homelessness have a life expectancy of 47 compared with 81 years in the general population.
Individuals experiencing homelessness are 5 times more likely to visit Accident and Emergency (A&E) services to access health care and 3 times more likely to have hospital admissions.
Correct - Individuals experiencing homelessness are 5 times more likely to visit Accident and Emergency (A&E) services to access health care and 3 times more likely to have hospital admissions.
Incorrect - Individuals experiencing homelessness are 5 times more likely to visit Accident and Emergency (A&E) services to access health care and 3 times more likely to have hospital admissions.
Simple steps to identify and better serve individuals who are homeless or have no fixed address
Bullet point, in no more than 200 characters, 2-3 ways you can improve the MUR service for people who are homeless or have no fixed address