Severe health problems are widespread among homeless people and new research warns failure to provide early support pushed many into crisis.
Over four in five people experiencing homelessness are living with multiple physical health conditions, according to new research by Homeless Link.
The findings, based on health audits conducted between 2022 and 2025, highlight serious illness often begins before homelessness and proceeds to get worse once someone loses their home.
Chronic breathing problems, heart issues and cancer are the biggest health concerns for people living on the streets, in hostels or temporary accommodation, The Unhealthy State of Homelessness 2025 report shows.
Almost 60% of people with physical health problems were diagnosed before becoming homeless. For some conditions the figure is even higher – 76% of people with epilepsy were diagnosed before losing their home, as well as large numbers of those with brain injuries and diabetes.
The report argues these patterns show how ill health can push people into homelessness, and that early opportunities to provide support are being missed.
‘This new evidence that we are not preventing people who are already unwell from becoming homeless is utterly devastating,’ Rick Henderson, chief executive of Homeless Link, said. ‘The research makes clear that homelessness is not only a housing problem, but also a health problem.
‘Failure to invest in the right support to prevent homelessness has catastrophic consequences for thousands of people in our society. They face deteriorating health, unfathomable impact of untreated need, and in the worst cases, early mortality.
‘But it doesn’t have to be this way. We can ensure the right support is in place, embedding health and social care into homelessness prevention and providing rapid access to suitable accommodation and person-centred support so that homelessness is short-lived and health outcomes improve significantly.’
Rachel Brennan, director or participation, progression and change at Groundswell, added: ‘This report reinforces what we have known for far too long, homelessness is not just about housing, it is a profound health issue.’
‘The evidence once again shows that health issues predate someone becoming homeless, health deteriorates because of being homeless and people experiencing homelessness face deep inequalities when trying to access care,’ Brennan continued. ‘If we are serious about changing outcomes through the NHS 10 year plan, we must ensure that people with lived experience are at the heart of policy design and service delivery.
‘Their insights are vital to creating services that truly meet people’s needs, reduce stigma, and prevent homelessness in the first place.’
Image: Milan Cobanov/UnSplash
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