Meeting the Unique Needs of Homeless Individuals
Homeless individuals come from diverse backgrounds, with many experiencing mental health issues, substance abuse, and alcohol dependencies. As such, they have unique needs that require specific attention. It’s crucial to recognise these differences and adopt a comprehensive approach to gather practical knowledge and promote inclusivity. Our goal is to share our experiences with both the statutory and voluntary sectors.
Preventing Homelessness from Becoming a Permanent State
We believe that although homelessness may begin as a temporary situation, the lack of adequate and sufficient assistance can lead to it becoming a permanent state.
Providing appropriate assistance, as determined by qualified statutory officers, to homeless individuals based on their assessed needs is crucial to meeting their needs and improving their well-being. This is essential for all individuals, but certain groups may face particular challenges.
The strategy that places a priority on addressing people's needs and concerns.
Supporting Homeless Individuals and Promoting Inclusion
Our objectives include developing resources and tools to assist homeless individuals in finding employment, volunteering, and life skill training opportunities that meet their specific needs. We also strive to increase support for activities that promote well-being, self-expression, and empowerment. It’s essential to explore community-based solutions that cater to individual preferences and requirements.
We acknowledge the crucial role that faith-based and non-commissioned community organizations play in helping people out of homelessness. We work to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in our work and the sector, ensuring that the unique needs of homeless individuals are effectively identified and met.
We recognize the specific needs of women and young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in both policy and practice. This includes local commissioning arrangements and national strategies.
Addressing the Gender-Specific Needs of Homeless Women
Women are disproportionately affected by homelessness, yet this issue is often overlooked due to its less visible nature.
Around 60% of adults staying in temporary accommodation are women, but the number of women recorded as rough sleeping is relatively small. This is because women are less likely to sleep in public places due to safety concerns and other factors, which means that official statistics may not fully reflect the extent of women’s homelessness. Furthermore, women residing in refuges are not included in the official statistics even though they are technically homeless. Therefore, it is crucial to develop effective support services that consider the gender-specific needs of women experiencing homelessness.
Understanding the Challenges of Hidden Homelessness Among Women
Women who are homeless often experience hidden homelessness and are less visible on the streets compared to men. They may also have a higher likelihood of having experienced trauma and abuse, both before and during their homelessness. This can include being separated from their children, which further exacerbates their situation.
Providing support for young people
Homeless young people are one of the most vulnerable groups in our society, with specific needs that differ from those of adults. Their journey into, during, and out of homelessness is unique, and requires tailored solutions that specifically address youth homelessness.
While we do not currently have the resources to work with young people under the age of 18, we aim to:
• Improve young people’s access to support.
• Assist services in meeting the specific needs of young people.
• Raise public awareness of youth homelessness.
Addressing the Needs of Homeless European Nationals in the UK
