INTRODUCTION TO HOMELESSNESS

Homelessness is a devastating but very complex issue. Yet this is too often not reflected in the attitudes of the public towards those who experience homelessness; it is a common misconception that people end up homeless due to simply making bad choices. The reality is is, however, that people become homeless for all sorts of reasons; every journey is unique and personal.

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Nevertheless, there are common themes that underly many of those journeys: complex issues involving family, work, health, and often stemming from events in childhood. Beyond personal circumstances it is also important to look at broader factors that dictate the availability and accessibility of support. The design and funding of social systems, which ultimately derive from political desicisions, can also contribute to homelessness.

 

Consequently, there is no blanket policy that can end homelessness and undo the damage that it has done. There is no quick fix, no individual saviour. Everybody has a role to play.

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In this collection, we point you to resources that we believe reflect the complex causes, effects, and legacies of homelessness. We believe it is important for those with experience to be heard, and you will therefore find resources that tell stories as they we lived. We also believe that it is important to be hopeful, and we have included resources that provide ways forward in Scotland.