Facts about homeless people

Today I saw a photo on Paris Daily Photo that really upset me but what really upset me more were the comments of Eric's 'readers' so I think that I should publish a few facts for those people who were 'moved' by Eric's photo.

People who sleep rough end up on the street for a variety of reasons. But we can, however, make some generalisations about homeless people.

We know that about one in ten people sleeping rough are women, and that one in six are under 25 and one in 14 over 60.

Around 20,000 people live in accommodation for the homeless in London, and this does not include people in bed and breakfasts and squats.

Our society has changed greatly in the last few decades. Social problems such as family break-ups and crime have increased as the bonds of society have loosened, and homelessness is one aspect of this change in society.

St Mungo's (whose web site these facts have been take from) believes that homelessness is usually a symptom of a more fundamental problem that rough sleepers have. Many are either mentally ill, physically ill, heavy drinkers or drug users. People who sleep rough usually have had more difficult family backgrounds than most, which may lie at the root of many of these problems. Rough sleepers may find it difficult to sustain close ties with others, and the break-up of a relationship is the most common trigger for going on the street.

More here:

.... and How you can help St Mungo's help the homeless Here

For UK residents advice from Shelter can be found here:

I am sure people outside the UK know of the various charities and organisations that will assist homeless people - if not then they can use Google.