More than half of Brits think there’ll always be significant levels of homelessness

More than half of Brits believe there will always be significant levels of homelessness in the UK, according to a new poll.

Charity St Mungo’s surveyed people to uncover misconceptions about how people experiencing homelessness can be supported at a time when the UK’s homeless crisis continues to hit new record highs.

The Ipsos poll found that the main reason people have not given their support to others facing homelessness came down to a lack of cash, food or clothes to donate. That was the case for 29% of adults, while 23% said there is no point in supporting people experiencing homelessness because they feel it won’t make a difference.

Only 29% of people surveyed said they knew how to support people experiencing homelessness while a third said they were unaware. Meanwhile, 40% of people quizzed said they had given food or drink to someone experiencing homelessness.

“While winter has arrived and temperatures are plummeting to life-threatening levels, there are record numbers of people who are homeless, or at risk of it,” said St Mungo’s chief executive Emma Haddad.   

“St Mungo’s frontline teams are working to help as many people as possible day and night. Right now, our hostels are providing somewhere safe and warm to stay out of the cold, which poses very real dangers to people experiencing homelessness. With support, this can be the first step to finding a more settled place to live.” 

St Mungo’s poll found that homelessness (27%) was behind the cost of living crisis (70%), healthcare (52%), the economy (50%) and crime and violence (46%) in terms of people’s broader concerns in society.

But the charity said that homelessness is closely linked to the cost of living crisis and the economy, citing rising housing costs and bills as a reason why the charity is braced for a surge in people needing support this winter.

The charity said its frontline teams supported 23,000 people experiencing homelessness in 2024, helping people like Curtis off the streets and into emergency accommodation.

“I was on the streets for six weeks before St Mungo’s found me. It was incredibly cold at the time. It was really horrible,” says Curtis, who was working as an actor and musician when a relationship breakdown led to him suddenly becoming homeless.

Curtis tried to stay safe and warm by sleeping in an open-air shopping centre, and was found by one of St Mungo’s frontline workers. 

“Someone from St Mungo’s came to find me at about three in the morning. The two gentlemen were really warm and understanding, and they told me where I could get food, and where I could get advice about what to do.

“Now I’m in private rented accommodation. I’ve been out of the system for six months, going forward with my musical career. St Mungo’s have continued to be a fantastic support, for things I couldn’t navigate by myself.” 

St Mungo’s polling also found limited awareness around the various ways that the public can help to support people experiencing homelessness. 

The main way people polled have supported this issue in the last 12 months is by giving money directly to people experiencing homelessness (27%), or by donating clothing, food or money to a homeless charity (27%). 

• How to help a homeless person on the street in cold weather
• Here’s what to do if you see a homeless person

St Mungo’s urged people to donate to a homelessness organisation, volunteer or campaign around social issues to help people into longer-term accommodation.

The poll found just 3% of those surveyed volunteered at local shelters or food banks in the last 12 months while 2% said they had advocated for policy change to prevent homelessness.

Meanwhile, another Ipsos poll for the Centre for Homelessness Impact found four out of five people across the UK believe homelessness is a serious problem that is not getting the attention it deserves.

The poll, which quizzed 2,142 people on their views about homelessness, found 70% agreed with the statement that: “As a society, we do not pay enough attention to homelessness”.

Almost two-thirds of people believe that homelessness will increase in the UK in the next 12 months while barely a quarter of people think homelessness can be ended and twice as many think homelessness is inevitable.

However, the poll revealed 79% of those quizzed felt that identifying people who might be at risk of homelessness earlier, such as in health and education, would make a difference.

Ligia Teixeira, chief executive of the Centre for Homelessness Impact, said: “These survey results highlight the pressing need for bold, preventative action to address homelessness. With over half the public supporting investment in prevention and 75% calling for affordable housing and stronger government guarantees, the message is unmistakable: prevention and structural solutions must take centre stage if we’re to break the cycle of homelessness for good.

“While the numbers reveal the scale of the challenge, they also reflect a shared belief in the power of prevention and systemic change. This is a call to action for all of us – government, communities, and individuals – to work together to ensure everyone has access to a safe, stable home.”

The Labour government has committed to moving towards prevention in its bid to “turn the tide” on rising homelessness with £1bn in funding across 2025-26.

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