Disability and homelessness

Last year, more than 60,000 households with a member who experiences disability or long-term illness faced homelessness in England.   This is an increase of nearly 75% since 2019 – a staggering figure.   

Here, our accessibility coordinator Minna asks, how much do you think you know about risk factors for people dealing with homelessness?

Last year we conducted a health audit of people who are either currently homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless. 

This revealed 73 per cent of respondents having at least one chronic physical condition (compared to 50 per cent of the general population) and 78 per cent citing mental health problems (general population 12.7 per cent).  Clearly there is some disparity for those who are dealing with homelessness.  But why is this? 

Income insecurity: 

On review of the income (wages and/or benefits) received by people who experience long-term disability, illness and impairment, it is usually comparatively less than national average income.  In fact, living costs tend to be higher due to the financial constraints of assistive equipment and specialist transport that may be needed.  This insecurity increases the risk of homelessness, when people are unable to make ends meet and fall into arrears.   

Barriers to services:

People without a fixed address often struggle to register with primary care services or access disability-adapted housing and support services, driving repeated health and housing crises.  Without this, there is no access to secondary or tertiary care and support.   

The 2021 census tells us that 44.1 per cent of people identified as homeless in hostels or temporary shelters reported a disability, more than double the 17.5 per cent rate in the rest of England and Wales.  So, every four out of ten people who are seeking support to deal with homelessness are also trying to navigate the impact of disability, illness or impairment – often without the tailored support they need. 

Social isolation and exclusion:

Disability, illness and impairment can limit social networks and increase vulnerability by means of isolation, making it harder for disabled people to build the informal support that often averts homelessness. 

Perhaps the most staggering statistic is the life expectancy gap.  Government figures show that the average age of death for people dealing with homelessness in our region is 45 years for men and 43 for women, both more than 34 years less than the 2024 national average.  So why such a discrepancy?  I would argue that disability and long-term health conditions rarely exist without the need for regular medical review, intervention and access to medication.  These are difficult without a fixed address, as is having a safe place to rest and recover during times of more acute illness.  This therefore starts a downward spiral of increasingly poor health and minimal/no intervention.   

Caritas House, one of our supported accommodation projects, supports 19 men, all with various access needs (including autism, mobility, communication and sensory access needs) that have often not been supported adequately in the past.    

One person residing there uses an ambulatory wheelchair when needed, due to having his foot amputated two years ago.  He explained that this has been the best experience of supported accommodation he has had.  He said he has experienced no barriers due to his wheelchair, the doors are wide enough, the height of the kitchen surfaces is adequate, and that he has been quite surprised.  He also said that he is ready to move on to independent accommodation, but that he’d like to return to Caritas House as a volunteer, and support others in learning about the building and services, especially those who use a wheelchair.  

We work through our services to ensure everyone can access the support that they need.   

Through our campaigning work, we’ll also continue to call for the changes that are needed to ensure everyone has a safe place to call home, and that people who experience disability, illness and/or impairments are supported to live with dignity in our local community.

Homelessness should not be an inevitability for anyone, and we hope you will join us in calling for an end to this crisis. 

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