The Unhealthy State of Homelessness (2025)

 “81% of people experiencing homelessness report a physical health condition”

Homelessness can be caused by poor health and in turn it can cause poor health. A new report from Homeless Link highlights the deep health inequalities faced by people experiencing homelessness, and the challenges faced in accessing appropriate, and enough, support. Read the report. (external link – Homeless Link)

Key findings 

Physical Health 

• In wave 4, 81% (587) of respondents reported having at least one physical health condition. This figure marks a continuing decline in the physical health of people experiencing homelessness, with an increase of 8 percentage points in those reporting physical health conditions since wave 1 (wave 1: 73%; wave 2: 76; wave 4: 78%).
• The most common diagnosed physical health condition was asthma (21% (142)), followed by chronic breathing problems including bronchitis, and emphysema, obstructive airways disease (19% (132)).
• ‘Dental/ teeth problems’ are now the most commonly reported physical health condition, affecting 48% (339) of respondents, and representing a 12 percentage point increase from wave 3 (36% (187)).

Mental Health

• The number of people reporting a diagnosed mental health condition soared between wave 1 (45%) and wave 3 (82%). Wave 4 shows a stabilisation and a slight reduction, with 77% (560) of respondents reporting at least one mental health condition.
• The most commonly reported mental health conditions remain consistent between waves 3 and 4:  depression and anxiety disorder are most prevalent, whilst dual diagnosis, PTSD, and personality disorders have seen the largest increases.
• Almost half (49% (344)) of respondents reported self-medicating with drugs or alcohol to help them cope with their mental health. This is an increase from wave 3 (45% (211)).

Drug and alcohol use 

• In wave 4, almost three quarters of respondents (72%, (510)) reported using drugs in the last 12 months.
• 49% (131) of respondents were at high risk of exceeding the Chief Medical Officer’s (CMO) low-risk drinking guidelines.

Use of healthcare services

• In wave 4, the majority of respondents were registered with a GP (89%, 626)). A further 28% (149) of respondents were registered with a specialist homeless healthcare provider.
• Dental registration levels are much lower than GP registrations, with only 37% (247) of respondents reporting they were registered with a dentist in wave 4, compared to 53% (246) in wave 3.
• Just over half of respondents (52%, (350)) had used A&E services at least once in the past year, a slight increase from wave 4 (48%, (202)). This indicates that people experiencing homelessness use A&E four times more often than the general population.
• 38% (254) of respondents had been admitted to hospital in the 12 months prior to taking part in a HHNA.
• The number of people being discharged onto the streets stands at the highest rate since data collection began. Nearly a third (32%, (77)) of respondents were discharged onto the streets, and a further 18% (44) were discharged into accommodation that was not suitable for their needs.