Advertisement
Housing

Poor health both a cause and effect of homelessness in Wales

A government-backed report finds that many people in Wales become homeless because of health issues

A report into homelessness by the Welsh Government and other agencies indicates that poor health is a cause as well as a result of homelessness in Wales – with insufficient access to healthcare being a significant factor.

The report, conducted by housing charity Cymorth Cymru, reports that a third of people said health problems were a primary or secondary cause of their homelessness – when drug or alcohol problems were included as a health issue.

But nearly a quarter who were admitted to hospital said they were discharged to the streets or unsuitable accommodation, which doubled their chance of re-admission. Plus, over two-thirds of those surveyed had not had a hepatitis B or flu vaccination, and half the female respondents did not have breast examinations or a cervical smear on a regular basis.

Over 30% of respondents said they needed more help and support for their health problems

“This report highlights how health problems can be both a cause and consequence of homelessness,” said Cymorth Cymru director Katie Dalton. “Over 30% of respondents said they needed more help and support for their health problems, and many faced barriers to health care, including lengthy waiting lists and being unable to get appointments.”

Shelter Cymru were one of the organisations that helped to compile the report and develop the recommendations.

“Health and homelessness are closely tied up with each other,” said Jennie Bibbings, the Campaigns Manager at Shelter Cymru. “People sleeping rough and people who are in insecure or temporary accommodation experience worse physical and mental health than the general population, but despite this, homeless people often have less access to healthcare.

Advertisement
Advertisement

“There are lots of practical difficulties including not having a regular postal address, not being able to afford telephone calls, in some cases literacy issues, and sometimes, sadly, judgemental attitudes from healthcare staff, which can be very damaging to people’s confidence and put them off getting the care they need.”

Health and housing needs

The report includes a number of recommendations that health boards, local authorities and homelessness charities could implement in order to provide better support.

“There are some key themes throughout,” said Dalton. “We would like health, housing and homelessness services to make every contact count, using these opportunities to identify people’s health and housing needs and help them to access appropriate support.

We would like health, housing and homelessness services to make every contact count

“Another important theme is collaboration between services to ensure that people’s health and housing needs are better met.”

A government spokesman said: “We continue to work closely with Public Health Wales, health boards, local authorities and homelessness organisations, to ensure appropriate services are planned and delivered to meet the health needs of homeless people and those at risk of homelessness.”

Advertisement

Change a vendor's life this Christmas

This Christmas, 3.8 million people across the UK will be facing extreme poverty. Thousands of those struggling will turn to selling the Big Issue as a vital source of income - they need your support to earn and lift themselves out of poverty.

Recommended for you

Read All
Ending post-Grenfell cladding crisis could take until 2035 and beyond: 'Unacceptably slow'
Grenfell tower
Cladding crisis

Ending post-Grenfell cladding crisis could take until 2035 and beyond: 'Unacceptably slow'

We've given 50,000 haircuts to homeless people – here's how a simple trim can change everything
Photo of man hugging a woman to illustrate a story about the Haircuts 4 Homeless charity
Homelessness

We've given 50,000 haircuts to homeless people – here's how a simple trim can change everything

Cash-strapped council warns it's at breaking point as neighbour places homeless people in its town
homeless peoples' tents in street
Homelessness

Cash-strapped council warns it's at breaking point as neighbour places homeless people in its town

Homeless families occupy council housing offices on Halloween in plea to fix 'houses of horror'
Homeless families at a protest about council housing
Homelessness

Homeless families occupy council housing offices on Halloween in plea to fix 'houses of horror'

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

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue