Why are people in Kent becoming homeless?

• 29% cited the breakdown of a family relationship or romantic relationship
• 9% had fallen behind on rent or mortgage payments
• 6% left prison with nowhere to live
• 6% were evicted because the landlord was selling, renovating or re-letting.

Others cited insecure work, benefit issues, mental health problems, ‘no fault’ evictions (which has now been banned), hospital discharge with nowhere to go, and fleeing domestic violence.

It’s important to remember that homelessness is rarely caused by one single event. The reasons given here are usually a tipping point when added to other pressures a person is facing. It also means each person’s situation is different. It’s why we take their individual circumstances into account when creating a support plan – by addressing all the issues they’re facing, we give them a greater chance of leaving homelessness behind for good.

*1 April 2025 – 31 March 2026