Hospital staff across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) are being encouraged to play their part in preventing homelessness by asking a simple question that could make a life-changing difference.
World Homelessness Day, on 10th October, is an opportunity to remind everyone that homelessness can take many forms. Some people may be rough sleeping, but other people may be staying with friends, or living in emergency or temporary accommodation. Regardless of the situation, homelessness is not just a housing issue, but a major health issue too.
Research shows that people often have increasing contact with health services before becoming homeless, creating opportunities to identify problems early and help people access support before they reach crisis point.
The message is simple: don’t wait until someone has nowhere to go before acting.
A safe and secure home is one of the foundations of good health. Without somewhere safe to live, people are more likely to experience poor physical and mental health, require emergency care and face worse long-term health outcomes.
But the relationship works both ways. Illness, injury, financial difficulties, mental health challenges or major life changes can all increase someone’s risk of losing their home.
That’s why NHSGGC is preparing for the new legal duties called “Ask & Act”, which means that all public services have a duty to ask about housing circumstances, identify risks early and take action to help prevent homelessness before it happens.
Jennifer Watt, Health Improvement Lead for Homelessness Prevention at NHSGGC, said: “When people think about homelessness, they often think about someone who has already lost their home. But homelessness rarely happens overnight.
“Often there are warning signs long before a crisis point is reached. Someone may be worried about rent arrears, struggling with finances, facing relationship breakdown, or concerned about where they will live when they leave hospital.
“Health services are in a unique position to spot those concerns because people frequently come into contact with us during difficult periods in their lives.
“A simple conversation can make a huge difference. By asking about housing and understanding someone’s circumstances, we can act in a way that may be able to prevent them from becoming homeless in the first place.
“Nobody should have to wait until they have nowhere to go before getting help.”
Across NHSGGC, staff already work closely with a range of housing, welfare and community partners to support patients experiencing housing difficulties and other challenges which affect their health and wellbeing.
Alongside specialist homelessness services, support may include help with welfare benefits, financial inclusion, energy costs, housing advice and other practical issues which can place people at risk of homelessness if left unresolved.
World Homelessness Day provides an opportunity to highlight the important role health services can play in recognising those risks and supporting people to get help early.
Jennifer Watt added: “Preventing homelessness is everyone’s business.
“We know that having a safe, secure home is fundamental to health. Every conversation matters, and every opportunity to identify someone who may be struggling is an opportunity to prevent a crisis later on.”
“If you are working with someone who may be homeless, or at risk of homelessness then please make sure you signpost and refer them to services which can help.”
For information on the how NHSGGC is helping with homelessness and about organisations that can help with housing concerns, go to Housing and Homelessness – NHSGGC.
For more about the wider support available across NHSGGC go to Support and Information Service – NHSGGC, or for more specific information on money advice services go to Hospital based money advice services – NHSGGC.
