Housing

Homelessness stigma stops people accessing healthcare even when housed

The long-term effects of living on the streets led to preventable deaths according to a report by Thames Reach, St Mungo’s and the Greater London Authority

Homeless person

The effects of homelessness can prevent former rough sleepers from seeking out healthcare even after they secure stable accommodation.

A new report from London homelessness charities Thames Reach and St Mungo’s as well as the Greater London Authority delved into deaths among people who had moved on from life on the streets with the help of local Tenant Sustainment Teams (TSTs).

Researchers discovered that good quality, stable accommodation does improve health and wellbeing but the rigours of rough sleeping can have a serious impact on mental health and self-worth that persist even after people are housed.

The stigma of homelessness also continues and that can prevent former rough sleepers from accessing healthcare. The report also found that social isolation remains an ongoing health issue and can be a major risk factor in early deaths, as can bereavement, violence, exploitation and benefits issues.

The small-scale research project’s findings will be shared among healthcare providers as well as TSTs to improve practices and has informed homelessness prevention groups to seek out these factors to prevent people falling into street homelessness in the first place.

The average age of death among people who have received assistance from TSTs is 52 years, which is higher than the average of death among homeless people of 47 years – though academics warned that the comparison should be treated with caution.

The most common cause of death recorded among the 55 people who died between April 2016 and August 2018 was cancer, followed by cardiovascular and gastro/liver diseases. In many of these cases, the conditions could have been treated and academics warned that the deaths could have been prevented.

Drug and alcohol misuse was also a key contributing factor in many of the deaths due to the chronic health conditions that it leads to as well as the stigma it creates that prevents people accessing support from non-specialist services.

People need a home for good but also to feel confident again, have friends, feel included in society

Howard Sinclair, chief executive at St Mungo’s, said: “This research shows that homelessness does have a long-term impact on someone’s health and wellbeing if the right support is not available. It is further evidence of the health inequalities faced by people who are homeless and of the need for more integrated healthcare for them.

“People need a home for good but also to feel confident again, have friends, feel included in society. This needs public services to work together to address the range of problems people may face, even after moving away from the street.”

Stuart Morgan, a client with the Tenancy Sustainment Team South, added: “Recovery from homelessness and poor health isn’t just about having a flat. It’s also about being supported to achieve personal growth and development such as being supported to increase your confidence and self-esteem. People need to improve their wellbeing in order to improve their health.”

The spotlight on homeless deaths has intensified in the last couple of years as the Office for National Statistics began an official count while the Bureau of Investigative Journalism’s Dying Homeless project crowdsourced their own count, which is now in the hands of the Museum of Homelessness.

Support the Big Issue

For over 30 years, the Big Issue has been committed to ending poverty in the UK. In 2024, our work is needed more than ever. Find out how you can support the Big Issue today.
Vendor martin Hawes

Recommended for you

View all
Local housing allowance is finally going up. But is it anything more than just a short-term fix?
Jeremy Hunt announced local housing allowance rise
Benefits

Local housing allowance is finally going up. But is it anything more than just a short-term fix?

Leaked letter to Tory MPs reveals renting reforms will be 'watered down' to 'appease landlords'
Renters Reform Bill
RENTING

Leaked letter to Tory MPs reveals renting reforms will be 'watered down' to 'appease landlords'

Housing crisis: Shared ownership an 'unbearable reality' which has 'failed to deliver', MPs warn
Housing

Housing crisis: Shared ownership an 'unbearable reality' which has 'failed to deliver', MPs warn

Most tenants have never heard of the beleaguered Renters Reform Bill
Renters and the Renters Reform Bill
Renting

Most tenants have never heard of the beleaguered Renters Reform Bill

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know