Ill-Health and Homelessness: the Effects of Living in Bed-and-Breakfast Accommodation

Homelessness in Britain is increasing rapidly. In 1989 over 125 000 households were accepted as homeless by the local authorities in England – over twice as many as in 1979 (Department of the Environment, 1989). Most are rehoused by the local authority or are nominated to a local housing association. However, some need to be initially placed in temporary accommodation – while inquiries are completed, before being referred to another area, or where the local authority only has a duty to provide temporary housing because they have been deemed ‘intentionally homeless’.