Why people become homeless

The chances of someone experiencing homelessness by the age of 30 are predicted by:

• childhood poverty (by far the most powerful influence)
• geography (more likely in areas of higher housing market pressures)
• adverse experiences as a teenager (especially being excluded from school, serious drug use or being in care)
• early adult experiences (leaving education early, experiencing unemployment, renting instability, illness or disability and challenges in social relationships or family breakdown)

Often, several of these factors contribute to someone becoming homeless. For example, persistent poverty can affect family relationships or a person's mental health. Or having complex needs, such as mental ill health or a physical disability, can make it more difficult for someone to find employment.

Alongside these, there are often more immediate triggers that can push someone into homelessness. A sudden job loss, a health crisis or a relationship breakdown can also quickly destabilise someone’s housing situation. Domestic abuse is also a major factor, forcing people to leave home suddenly to stay safe. When these pressures come on top of low income, rising costs and increasing rents, people can quickly find themselves with nowhere safe or affordable to live, leading to devastating long-term consequences.

The long-term effects of homelessness can be wide-ranging and long-lasting. People may experience ongoing impacts on their mental health, including trauma, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress. Physical health is also often affected, with increased risk of chronic illness due to limited access to healthcare.

Homelessness can also disrupt education and employment, making it harder for people to build financial stability in the future. This can contribute to long-term cycles of poverty and housing insecurity. It may also affect relationships and social connections, leading to isolation, reduced confidence and a loss of support networks.

That’s why our frontline teams are trained to offer a full range of support, connecting people with mental health services, drug and alcohol recovery and help with tenancies, debt and finding work. We also focus on addressing both the immediate and long-term impacts of homelessness, helping people rebuild confidence and trust after trauma.

At Porchlight, we provide people with the tools to process their past experiences and develop coping mechanisms for the future. This includes trauma-informed support that recognises the lasting emotional, psychological and physical impact of homelessness, not just the practical challenges.

We also work to prevent homelessness before it happens. If someone is at risk, we help them stay in their home by advising on how to maintain their tenancy, manage their mental health and address wider issues such as money management, debt, benefits, poor housing conditions or relationships with landlords.

Homelessness is complex and some people need more intensive or longer-term support than others to move away from it. Our support workers understand how each person is shaped by their history while recognising that everyone has the potential to change and grow with the right help.

New government figures show that 174 people were sleeping rough in Kent and Medway on a single night* last autumn, a 17% rise on the previous year.

This is a result of the continued rise in the cost of living, with Kent residents among the worst affected. We’re hearing from an increasing number of people who are unable to afford rising food costs, soaring energy bills and rents that are higher than in many other parts of England.

Even before this, the lack of affordable housing has been driving homelessness in Kent for years. Housing has become even less affordable and for the most vulnerable people in our community, this perfect storm of events is proving to be devastating.

When households are living on low incomes, even small increases in rent, food or energy costs can quickly become unmanageable. This can force difficult choices between essentials and can place real strain on family relationships, mental health and long term stability. Without early support, this pressure can spiral into homelessness.

Last year we introduced our Family Routes service which provides practical and emotional support for Thanet families experiencing poverty. It helps families manage financial pressures, access the right support and prevent issues from escalating into crisis.

In short, we are battling a homelessness crisis and there is a growing demand for the help that Porchlight provides across the county.

With your support, we can reach more people earlier, prevent homelessness before it happens and help people rebuild their lives. Every donation helps us provide vital support at a time when more people than ever are struggling to stay in safe and secure housing.

If you are experiencing problems with housing or your mental health, or you support someone who is, you can find more information and get help here.

Or, if you are inspired to support our work, click here to make a donation.

*The government’s annual rough sleeping snapshot in England report is made up of information collected by local authorities and other organisations, including Porchlight. They went out on a single night last autumn to carry out a street count and identify the number of people sleeping rough across the country. The collected findings were published on 26 February 2026.