This chapter explores the characteristics and support needs of people accessing single homelessness services. Drawing on findings from the accommodation provider and day centre surveys, this chapter looks at the profile of those accessing support, the main services provided by homelessness organisations, and barriers to accessing support.
There is evidence that over the last few years the level and visibility of support needs of people accessing homelessness services has increased substantially.
Despite most accommodation providers offering low to medium support, almost all services are now supporting people with a range of overlapping needs. Barriers to statutory services, in particular mental health and adult social care services, remain the biggest challenges to ensuring that people can access the support they need.
- 62% of day centres report seeing an increase in people experiencing homelessness for the first time, as did 46% of accommodation providers.
- 37% of day centres and 23% of accommodation providers report increases in supporting people experiencing homelessness whilst in employment.
- A substantial proportion of day centres and accommodation providers, 79% and 33% respectively, report an increase in women accessing their services.
- 72% of day centres and 45% of accommodation providers also report an increase in refugees presenting at services.
- Mental health remained the most commonly reported support need amongst accommodation providers. 90% of accommodation providers support residents with a history of diagnosed mental health conditions. This marks a 5% decrease from 2024, but is an 11% increase since 2022.
- All day centres (100%) reported high levels of support needs in relation to history of offending, physical ill health and disability, and alcohol dependency.
Homelessness services face significant barriers in accessing support services, particularly within health and social care.
Access to mental health support remains a big barrier for both accommodation providers and day centres (92% and 89% respectively).
88% of accommodation providers and 95% of day centres also report barriers to accessing adult social care.
