Centre for Housing Policy

The causes, impacts and costs of homelessness for families, children and 16-17 year olds in England

Working with BMRB International, the Centre for Health Economics at the University of York and Millmount Consulting, CHP undertook research into the causes, impacts and costs of child and family homelessness for the Department for Communities and Local Government .

The research involved a nationally representative survey, covering 2,000 adults in homeless families and 500 children aged eight and above within those families. Using a specially developed sampling methodology, the survey draws a representative sample of homeless families over the course of a six month 'time window'.

The research also involved two further surveys. The first is a survey of 500 lone homeless 16-17 year-olds. The second is a survey of 500 families and lone 16-17 year-olds who have been in temporary accommodation for six months or more. These two surveys provide information on a group of vulnerable young homeless people who would ordinarily still be living in the family home and detailed information on the effects of households of staying in what may be unsuitable temporary accommodation for six months or more.

The surveys are concerned with understanding routes into homelessness, the impacts of homelessness, the pattern of support needs among these homeless households and the effects of homelessness and temporary accommodation on health, well being and child development. The research also examines the costs of homelessness and explores the extent of repeat homelessness among these households.

Centre for Housing Policy
University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1904 321480 |  Fax: +44 (0)1904 321481 | chp@york.ac.uk