Although rough sleeping is the most visible form, the majority of people experiencing homelessness don’t sleep on the streets. Rough sleeping accounts for less than 1% of homelessness in the UK.

Many people experiencing homelessness are ‘sofa-surfing’, living in temporary accommodation or sleeping out of sight in unsafe locations.

To change perceptions and address the homelessness crisis, we must acknowledge that not all people facing homelessness encounter the same situations and challenges.

As we’ve outlined in this article, homelessness in the UK is a complex issue. People experience homelessness due to economic conditions, housing policies, social dynamics, and individual circumstances.

Addressing homelessness requires a comprehensive approach that includes increasing affordable housing, reforming welfare policies, providing robust support services, and implementing effective prevention strategies.

Everybody deserves a safe place to live. Through positive action, education and political will, we can eradicate homelessness for good. But we can only achieve this by working together, and by starting now.

Take positive action – Volunteer at YMCA Together 

Give hope to people experiencing homelessness and challenging times. We have volunteer roles to suit everyone’s skills.

Educate your team – YMCA Together Training and Consultancy 

Take a modern approach to benefit the people you support, with our psychologically-informed working courses or 6-month Cognitive Analytic Therapy Case Management Course.

Demand political intervention –  Speak to your MP. 

Join us in demanding that the new Labour government keep their manifesto promise to scrap section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions and take ‘fast action to make renters better off’.