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Unit 1-final 14/08/2007 17:28 Page 8The Causes of HomelessnessHomelessness is a complex issue and there is rarely a simple explanation for someone becoming homeless.Homelessness can happen to anyone for a wide variety of reasons. It is vital that we understand the fullrange of issues that may lead homelessness in order to prevent it and to provide relevant services to thoseexperiencing homelessness.There are many different pathways into homelessness. In the past, explanations tended to concentrate on itas an individual problem due to personal difficulties. Now there is much wider recognition thathomelessness is more than the result of individual issues. It involves a complex interrelationship ofstructural factors and individual (trigger) factors that occur at a point in time. A number of risk factors havealso been identified that put people at a higher risk of becoming homeless.StructuralStructural factors, relating to how we organise our society and distribute wealth and power areacknowledged as being a key contributing factor to homelessness and must be considered in order to,not only meet the needs of a person out of home, but also to address factors leading tohomelessness. These include:• Social and affordable housing shortages• Poverty• Unemployment• Leaving a state institution (care, prison or hospital) without appropriate support services• Lack of appropriate mental health facilities• Lack of appropriate support services for people experiencing homelessness• Inappropriate social policiesThe failure of society to provide suitable infrastructure to support the most vulnerable in society hasultimately contributed to creating pathways into homelessness.IndividualHomelessness is often immediately preceded by a crisis in an individual’s life. There are a range ofevents or crisis points that can trigger homelessness. Examples of these include:• Relationship difficulties or breakdown• Eviction• Inappropriate or insecure accommodation• Leaving institutional care• A deterioration in mental health• Financial difficulties• Losing a spouse8Risk FactorsIn addition to the above there are known factors that may put an individual at greater risk ofhomelessness if and when a crisis occurs. Some of these include:• Mental health issues• Poor physical health• Lack of social support network• Physical or sexual abuse in childhood or adolescence• Offending behaviour and/or experience of prison• Family disputes or breakdown• Debts, particularly rent and mortgage arrears• A background of institutional care• Anti-social behaviour• School exclusion and lack of qualifications(The Homeless Agency, www.homelessagency.ie)