Family Homelessness in Britain: More Than Just a Housing Issue

This article offers an analysis of family homelessness in Britain and makes suggestions for change and development in both policy and practice. In Britain, family homelessness too often has been defined solely as a housing issue. The author asserts that this approach ignores the evidence that it is a complex problem in which not only economic and political, but also personal and social, factors play significant roles. The widespread failure to recognize the broad range of needs and problems experienced by homeless families seriously limits British vision and creativity in developing potential solutions. The article sets forth a number of policy recommendations, including developing comprehensive housing and service programs for homeless families; adding an intensive service component to existing homeless-at-home programs; emphasizing homelessness prevention; better utilizing persistenly vacant housing; better utilizing the private rental sector; and exchanging Britain's present national commitment to temporary accomodation for an ongoing commitment to build sufficient affordable housing.

Publication Date: 
2001
Pages: 
3-22
Volume: 
7
Issue: 
1
Journal Name: 
Journal of Children and Poverty