Perceptions of Homelessness
A new Ipsos survey for the Salvation Army shows what are the perceived leading causes of homelessness in Britain
The new Ipsos survey for the Salvation Army on perceptions of the main causes of homelessness shows that more than a quarter (27%) believe the main cause of homelessness in the UK is alcohol or drug addiction. This was more than twice the percentage who said Debt (13%), the nearest other cause.
The research also revealed that more than half (54%) say they always or almost always do nothing when they see a homeless person in the street.
Other findings include:
- A third of people (33%) say that it is not at all likely that someone with a job that requires a professional qualification could become homeless
- 72% of people agree that "Homeless people are less likely to gain employment in the future than they would be if they were not homeless"
- More than half of people (51%) agree that "Employers are less likely to give jobs to people who have previously been homeless"
- Less than a quarter (23%) of people think that they, or someone close to them could ever experience homelessness
Downloads
Technical Note
Ipsos interviewed 2,119 UK adults online between 9-13 January 2015 on behalf of The Salvation Army. The data were weighted to the national profile of the UK population for age, gender, Government Office Region and Social Grade
