How are they affected by social exclusion?
People become, and stay, homeless for a number of different reasons. The main cause of homelessness is relationship breakdown with family and partners. But many other factors can increase the risk of homelessness including physical or sexual abuse, unemployment, alcohol and drug abuse, mental health problems, contact with the criminal justice system and lack of a social support network (Wright and Tompkins 2006). Homeless people are among the most vulnerable and socially excluded in our society and often find it difficult to access the help they need (Crisis 2002). Premature mortality is higher among homeless populations (Griffiths 2002; Wright and Tompkins 2006). Many homeless people present to health services with multiple morbidity including drug or alcohol dependence, mental health and physical problems such as tuberculosis and breathing difficulties (Griffiths 2002; Wright and Tompkins 2006). Homeless people are still 40 times less likely than the general public to be registered w
