Healthcare for the homeless

Is homelessness a problem in Leeds?
Primary research

• 60.7% of people questioned believed homelessness was a problem in their city of residence
• Most people have a negative feeling when they see a homeless person (guilty, sorry, sad).
• Over 80% of people would walk on by a homeless person.
• People are more likely to give money than food to the homeless.
• Common assumptions are then people become homeless due to alcohol/drug abuse and family/relationship breakdowns.

Secondary research

• Life expectancy of homeless people is 42 (half the national average).
• Nearly half the rough sleepers in Leeds are in their 20's or under.
• In March '06 there was only 1 rough sleeper acknowledged in Leeds, however we see many more on the streets and even the Leeds Homless Strategy states "It is recognised that the counts can only provide snapshot information and measure changes over time, and will not capture everyone in the city who may be sleeping rough."
  
• Leeds Homeless Strategy 2006-2010 aim to maximise opportunities to prevent homelessness.

My group of Gemma, Sai, Meryem, Nick and Will discovered that homelessness was a problem in Leeds and initially intended to educate and inform the general public on how they could help without necessarily donating money.