Understanding homelessness

Get informed > Understanding Homelessness

No one in this country is born on the streets; circumstances put people there.

While it is commonly defined as having no available or reasonable place to live, homelessness can take many forms, from rough sleeping to temporary housing or hidden homelessness.

To expand your knowledge, please read our FAQs about homelessness below.

How many people are currently experiencing homelessness in London?

In total during the period January-March 2026, outreach teams recorded 3,944 individuals sleeping rough in the capital*.

Of that total:

new rough sleepers account for 45% of all rough sleepers
intermittent rough sleepers account for 41% of all those recorded in the period, and
16% of those recorded during the period were living on the streets

The Passage works in the epicentre of the homelessness crisis, in Westminster, where rough sleeping rates are at their highest in the UK. In the last quarter alone, over 880 individuals were seen bedded down in the local area.

With your support, we can continue to provide vital support, preventing homelessness and helping those in crisis to transform their lives.

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What are the different types of homelessness?

The most visible and recognisable form of homelessness is rough sleeping. However, there are a variety of ways in which a person is considered to be experiencing homelessness; even if they technically have a roof over their head.

Here are some examples of the types of homelessness seen:

Rough sleeping: sleeping outside without any shelter.
In temporary accommodation: staying in shelters, hostels, or other short-term, unstable housing.
Hidden homelessness: staying with family and friends, sofa surfing, sleeping in a vehicle, or those at risk of domestic violence or exploitation.
Inadequate housing: living in squats, illegal campsites, unfit housing, or in extreme overcrowding.

What are the main causes of homelessness in the UK?

There are many factors that can cause a person to experience homelessness. However, there are a number of systemic, personal, structural or familial causes that often contribute to someone experiencing homelessness including:

Financial hardship
Social disadvantages
Substance misuse and addictions
Mental health difficulties.
Traumatic events: relationship breakdowns, bereavement, damage to your home (i.e. fires and floods) and exploitation.
Domestic or family violence
Insufficient support for those leaving facilities such a prisons, hospitals, mental health facilities
Economic factors: lack of sufficient, affordable housing, or loss of income and financial support
Lack of support for those with no recourse to public funds

At The Passage, we provide holistic support services to help people overcome the barriers that cause or put them at risk of homelessness.

Find out more about our services

What are the links between poverty and homelessness?

In today’s society, many people are just one bill away from experiencing homelessness.

Poverty is one of the leading causes of homelessness worldwide, and those living in poverty are at a higher risk of becoming homeless. However, this does not mean that everyone living in poverty will experience homelessness.

Poverty has many different definitions, depending on the country you are in. But, generally it refers to those who do not have enough money to meet their basic needs, such as clothing, food, shelter and personal hygiene.

At The Passage, we provide support and advice to help people to manage their finances and understand their welfare rights.

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What are the links between modern slavery and homelessness?

Modern slavery – including human trafficking – is a crime hidden in plain sight: it targets the most vulnerable in our society and seeks to use them as commodities from which to make profit.

Homelessness is both an outcome and a driver of modern slavery. Often those experiencing homelessness are targeted by perpetrators and traffickers; and those who have fled from their traffickers are often left destitute, with nowhere to go.

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How does homelessness impact those who experience it?

For those that experience street homelessness, it not only puts their safety at risk, but it can also have a damaging impact their mental and physical wellbeing. Prolonged rough sleeping poses a larger threat to a person’s health and safety.

Official figures revealed that almost 50% of those who were rough sleeping on the streets of London, reported to have mental health support needs.

Our Engagement and Outreach team works to ensure that mental and physical health support is accessible to all, including those who are currently rough sleeping.

Learn more about this service

Need support with homelessness?

If you’re experiencing homelessness in London, or worried about losing your accommodation, we can help you access advice, support and services tailored to your situation.

Access support and advice at The Passage

What should I do if I see someone on the streets?

We asked our Experts by Experience board – an advisory panel of people who have a lived experiences of homelessness – for their advice on best practice when interacting with people who are currently rough sleeping. Read their advice below.

Do:

Make eye contact with people and smile.
Be empathetic – there are many complex and traumatic reasons that can lead to homelessness.
Be mindful of your body language.
Say hello and be polite – a small gesture can go a long way.

Don’t:

Stand over someone who is sitting or lying down, as this can feel intimidating.
Be judgemental of that person or their situation – remember that everyone’s story is different and there may be more going on than you realise.
Raise your voice or shout – try to speak clearly and softly.
Treat someone in a way that you would not like to be treated.

There is a simple and easy way for you to ensure that those you see rough sleeping, are offered support. Contact Streetlink today to alert local authorities about someone you have seen bedded down outside. The local Outreach Service will be sent to meet them.

Visit the Streetlink website

Please note, Streetlink is not an emergency service.

Please call 999 if you are concerned about someone’s safety, mental or physical health.

Can I help to prevent and end homelessness?

Yes! At The Passage, we believe that everyone has a role to play in preventing and ending homelessness.

There are many ways that you can get involved and support our vital work.

Whether you give your time, money, resources, or use your platform to help us educate the world about this important societal issue – it will make a difference to those who are most vulnerable in our society.

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