The issue of homelessness sprang to the public's attention with the release of Cathy Come Home in 1966, a TV programme directed by Ken Loach, that showed the plight of a homeless family. The release of the programme prompted the formation of the homelessness charity Shelter and added impetus to a broader campaign to give homeless people more rights.

At that time homelessness was a responsibility for social services. Councils' housing departments were often unwilling to house homeless people - they were seen as the undeserving poor. It was not until 1977 that housing authorities were given a duty to help homeless people. The concept of priority groups was also introduced. Families with children, single people made homeless through an emergency and vulnerable groups were given priority by councils' housing departments.
Many people feel frustrated that numbers seem to be increasing and wonder what can be done to help. Unfortunately, there are no quick fix or single remedy solutions - clearing our streets of rough sleepers may be cosmetically appealing - but the real solutions lie in sensitive and often long-term support and rehabilitation.

Why are people homeless – Reaching Out to Them
Homelessness can affect anyone. Many walks of life include people who have been homeless in the past and have gone on to success and happiness. However, some groups of people are more likely to become homeless due to their support needs or particular barriers they facing getting accommodation. People become and stay homeless for a whole range of complex and overlapping reasons and solving homelessness is about much more than putting a roof over people's heads. Many homeless people face a number of issues in addition to, but often compounded by, their homelessness. The isolation and destructive nature of homelessness means that homeless people find it difficult to access the help they need.

It may sound strange, but it may be easier to reach out to the homeless than it is to reach out to your next-door neighbor. They often are refreshingly honest, even if they are extremely suspicious. But if you are willing to develop a relationship with them, bring them more than money and a meal, show them the love of Christ, you will see them begin to blossom into the person God wants them to be. No one is more shocked at the transformation than the homeless person.

When we ask “Why are people homeless” the question carries with it a sense that there is something wrong with being homeless. That may be an illusion. God created every person and endowed each one with special gifts and blessings. When we judge this one or that one as somehow lacking, we are not looking through God’s eyes, but through our own.

When we learn to see the homeless, or the imprisoned, or the crippled as members of the body of Christ, we take a huge stride in learning to love the way God intended us to love. Then we can turn our love to our own families and churches.