In Wales, the number of households assessed as homeless and owed a duty to secure accommodation was 12,399 in 2019/20 (National Statistics, 2020).

People who experience homelessness are often amongst the most vulnerable people in our society, suffering from a combination of poor housing, unemployment, low income, bad health, poor skills, loneliness, isolation and relationship breakdown.

Whilst there is some debate over the precise definition of homelessness there is a widespread acceptance that homelessness is about more than rooflessness.  A home provides not just a physical space but also provides security, identity and a sense of belonging and therefore contributes not only to our physical health but also our mental wellbeing.

The best way to tackle homelessness to prevent it and where there are predictable routes to homelessness such as like leaving the care system or prison people should be supported to find and keep a home (Crisis, 2018).