A pack put together by homeless charity Shelter about what constitutes homelessness today.

1. Homelessness facts
Eleanor and
Who’s homeless? Steve
Eleanor and Steve are living in a flat they rent from the Council
Homeless or not homeless?
Not homeless

2. Homelessness facts
Who’s homeless? Amy
Amy has been sleeping on the sofa at a friend’s place for over a
month
Homeless or not homeless?
Homeless

3. Homelessness facts
Who’s homeless? Shania
Shania and her new born baby are sharing a bedroom with her
sister in her parents' overcrowded home
Homeless or not homeless?
Homeless

4. Homelessness facts
Who’s homeless? Lisa
Lisa lives with a boyfriend who is violent towards her and wants to
leave
Homeless or not homeless?
Homeless

5. Homelessness facts
Who’s homeless? Michael
Michael bought his own place and is having to work extra hours to
pay the mortgage
Homeless or not homeless?
Not Homeless

6. Homelessness facts
Who’s homeless? Ben
Ben left home after fighting with his parents and is sleeping on the
streets
Homeless or not homeless?
Homeless

7. Homelessness facts
What counts as being
homeless?
You don’t have to be sleeping on the streets
to be classed as homeless. You might also be
legally homeless if you are:
 temporarily staying with friends or family
 staying in a hostel or bed and breakfast
 living in very overcrowded conditions
 at risk of violence or abuse in your home
 living in poor conditions that affect your health
 living somewhere that you have no legal right to
stay in (eg. a squat)
 living somewhere that you can’t afford to pay for
without depriving yourself of basic essentials
(like food and clothing)
 forced to live apart from your family, or
someone you would normally live with, because
your accommodation isn’t suitable

8. Homelessness facts
Who is typically affected?
Homelessness affects a wide variety of
people. Some groups of people are more
likely to become homeless because they
have fewer rights, particular needs or are
less able to cope by themselves.
These include:
 young people leaving home for the first time
 old people
 people with children
 people with physical or mental health
problems
 people leaving care
 ex-prisoners
 asylum seekers and refugees.

9. Homelessness facts
How do people
become homeless?
You could become homeless for
many different reasons.
These could include:
 being evicted by your landlord
 losing your job
 health problems
 relationship problems
 a disaster such as fire or flooding

10. For more information go to:
http://england.shelter.org.uk/