ESRC 'multiple exclusion homelessness' research programme

The findings from groundbreaking new research investigating multiple exclusion homelessness have now been published. The research 'Tackling homelessness and exclusion: understanding complex lives' was a partnership project  undertaken by the Economic and Social Research Council, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Department for Communities and Local Government, Tenants Services Authority (formerly part of the Housing Corporation), the National Institute of Mental Health in England and Homeless Link (representing the voluntary sector).

These research findings reveal in detail the extent to which homelessness amongst single adults is linked with other problems such as mental ill-health, alcohol dependency and experience of institutions such as prison. It also highlights the challenges facing services if they are to do more to help people with multiple problems.

The ‘Tackling homelessness and exclusion: understanding complex lives’ report highlights findings from research with 1,286 adults using homelessness, drug and other services, and reveals that:

  • 98% had experience of being homeless
  • 70% had experienced of drug and/or alcohol problems
  • 67% had a history of activities, such as begging and shop lifting
  • 62% had spent time in prison, child care or other institutions
  • 47% had a history of all four

The report illuminates the complex lives of people experiencing Multiple Exclusion Homelessness (MEH) and has identified a number of individual characteristics and life experiences that are closely associated with MEH.

The depth of this research has enabled the authors to propose a number of timely and considered proposals that can prevent homelessness and  prevent people with complex needs falling through the cracks between services. You can view the round-up report of this research here.

The MEH research programme included four strands of research undertaken by academics at several institutions:

Professor Suzanne Fitpatrick, Heriot Watt University, 'Multiple Exclusion Homelessness in the UK: key patterns and intersections'. View a research summary here and futher information here. Summaries of findings relating to migrants and ex-service personnel are also available.

Dr Michelle Cornes, King's College London, 'Rethinking Multiple Exclusion Homelessness'. View a research summary here.

Professor Peter Dwyer, University of Salford and Dr Graham Bowpitt, Nottingham Trent University, 'The Home Study: comparing the priorities of multiply excluded homeless people and support agencies'. View a research summary here. The full report is here.

Dr Phillip Brown, University of Salford, 'Losing and finding a home: a life course approach'.

Background

The complex lives research programme sprang from Homeless Link's Research Forum. The Forum, established in 2003, recognized that a more comprehensive programme of research was needed to fully understand the causes and consequences of multiple exclusion homelessness. Because this was beyond the means of most individual homelessness organisations, the ESRC was approached to fund new research on homelessness and social exclusion. Homelessness was deliberately broadly defined, in order to explore the complex events and issues - social exclusion on multiple levels – preventing people obtaining and retaining accommodation.

Understanding the gaps

Professor Suzanne Fitzpatrick wrote a paper setting out the argument for a new programme. Suzanne’s paper included a comprehensive list of priorities for the research, identifying knowledge gaps and assessing their relevance to service delivery and practice. The consulation report is available to view here.

The consultation process which led to the ESRC bid was funded by the Department of Communities and Local Government and the Housing Corporation. This process found that the overlap and interaction between individual vulnerabilities was poorly understood, a gap which the subsequent research has filled.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Further information

Find out more about our Research Forum.

Please contact Alice Evans at Homeless Link if you would like to know more about the ESRC research programme.