The Impact of Homelessness on the Health of Single Adults in London

The Impact of Homelessness on the Health of Single Adults in
London
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Impact of Homelessness on the Health of Single Adults in London 2
Abstract
There are vast evidences on the issue of homelessness in single adults however the data is limited
about the real time experiences of homeless people. This research analyzes the experiences of the
single homeless adults. The study conducts literature review of reliable sources of information to
find the answer to the research question. The review implies that there is increasing need to develop
collaborative practices to support the homeless people.
The aim of the study is to analyze the impact of homelessness on the health of single adults in
London. The study produces significant statistics from wide sources of government and social
service organisations to presents the most recent information about the prevalent condition of
homeless people. The study illustrates all the aspects on this topic including the socio economic
factors, employment, education, physical and mental health, skeletal and neurological impact and
the legal provisions to support the homeless adults in London.
Homelessness has adversely affected the health, causing serious levels of stress in people. It causes
ill health conditions. For instance, the ill health may lead to relationship breakdown or the loss of
job which may trigger homelessness. It is observed that the health of homeless people is poorer than
the general people.
The project uses literature review to find the answer to the research question, to identify the
association between different factors and to recommend potential solutions to the problem.

Impact of Homelessness on the Health of Single Adults in London 3
TABLE OF CONTENT
ACKNOWLEDGMENT ......................................................................................4
1. INTRODUCTION............................................................................................4
1.1 Background .....................................................................................................4
1.2 Rationale..........................................................................................................4
1.3 Overall Aim.....................................................................................................4
1.4 Objectives of the study....................................................................................5
2. METHODOLOGY.........................................................................................6
2.1 Introduction.....................................................................................................6
2.2 Study Design...................................................................................................7
2.3 Literature Search Strategy...............................................................................7
2.4 Ethical Considerations......................................................................................7
2.5 Summary...........................................................................................................8
3. LITERATURE REVIEW, FINDINGS & DISCUSSION
3.1 Introduction .....................................................................................................9
3.2 Findings & Discussion.......................................................................................9
3.3 Impact of Methodological Approach................................................................10
3.4 Summary...........................................................................................................10
4. CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS
4.1 Brief Summary of Findings.................................................................................12
4.2 Conclusion...........................................................................................................13
4.3 Recommendations...............................................................................................13
4.4 Critical Reflection of Methodology....................................................................14

Impact of Homelessness on the Health of Single Adults in London 4
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I wish to thank Mr.............................................., for providing me an opportunity to do this research
project over the topic “Impact of Homelessness on the health of Single Adults in London”.
I sincerely express my gratitude to Mr.......................................... for their encouragement and
guidance in completing this research. I am extremely thankful for the other staff members who
helped me in by offering their valuable opinion about the topic and research methodology.
Without your healp and support this project would not be possible to accomplish.

Impact of Homelessness on the Health of Single Adults in London 5
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
London has a culture of sharp inequalities and contrasts. The expensive housing market of London
primarily contributes to disadvantage and poverty. According to Poverty Profile of London, the
main issues are: extremely high cost of property in London in both buying and renting, shortage of
new affordable houses, overcrowding and higher possessions by the landlords than in other parts in
England.
The high cost of housing is making the experience of homelessness quite randomly distributed in
the population. Around 21% of the people of 18 to 44 years of age agree that they delay planning a
family due to lack of affordable housing in London. About 28% of people have reduced the money
they spend on foods to pay off their cost of housing. Around 12% of the people report that high cost
of housing influence their ability to move for work. Such results show that the high cost of housing
is responsible for the homelessness and influences the way of living. The average cost of property
in London is 473,822 dollars. Assuming the initial deposit of 26%, and loan amount of thrice the
salary, somebody in England should earn a minimum amount of 303,074 dollars. Since April 2018,
there has been an increase in house price by 0.1% (Lenge, 2018).
The homelessness has adversely affected the health, causing serious levels of stress in people. It
cause ill health conditions. For instance the ill health may lead to relationship breakdown or the loss
of job which may trigger homelessness. It is observed that the health of homeless people is poorer
than the general people. They suffer from several health inequalities. The longer the time of
homelessness, the more the person is vulnerable to high risk factors of ill health. According to ONS
statistics, the average age of death among homeless people is 32 years less than the general people.

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According to a survey, one in every 200 people in London is homeless. The research explores
various factors affecting the homelessness in single adults in UK and its impact on their health.
1.2 Rationale
The purpose of this writing is to elaborate different perspectives of homelessness in the single adult
populations and the various factors leading to homelessness in their life. The paper also explores the
impact of this phenomenon on the health of homeless people comparing it with the general
populations. The scope of this paper relies till the single adults of London. The study includes the
populations aged 18 to 45 years of age living in London. The paper investigates the literature
review from 2011 to 2019.
1.3 Overall Aim
The study aims to explore the impact of helplessness on the health of single adults in London. The
number of homeless people has significantly increased from 2007 to 2019, which raises a serious
burden of preventable health illness on the healthcare system of UK.
Therefore it requires intense study to identify the factors responsible for homelessness and to frame
the strategies to improve the condition. The research will help the healthcare professionals in
understanding the primary association of homelessness and related aspects. The paper will address
the situation through detailed literature review of earlier researches and journals written on this
topic.
1.4 Objective of Study
 The study performs secondary research to analyze the factors responsible for homelessness
in single adults in London.
 The study highlights the developing trends which would most likely affect the homeless
people across London.
 The study finds association between different factors affecting the health and welfare of
homeless adults in London.
 The study evaluates the existing strategies implemented by the government and non-
governmental organisations in this regard in London
 The study would recommend possible solutions to improve the condition.

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CHAPTER 2: METHODOLOGY
2.1 Introduction
The research involved extensive integrated evidence based review of primary and secondary
literatures to access, identify, and appraise the content related to topic. A qualitative evidence based
research was performed for the collected information. The government research reports, journal
articles, government policy documents and the research publications from authentic organisations
along with grey literature were used as sources of information. The study collected the data from
these academic sources to form evidence for the research.
2.2 Study Design
The study involved extensive research of related documents on the topic to collect evidences over
the problem and to explore the in depth analysis of facts and figures. The study did not involve any
personal meetings or interviews with the subjects for any organisation. Therefore there was no need
to avail informed consent. The databases CINAHL, PubMed, and Cochrane were searched along
with grey literature through Google search to collect the data using keyword search and Boolean
algebra. All the factors affecting the homelessness among single adults were explored to involve
wide range of resources from London. The literature from 2013 to 2019 was only included in the
study.
The database search retrieved 165 articles. After screening of the abstract and titles, 110 articles
were eliminated due to multiple reasons. They were not published by valid peer reviewed sources of
information. Few were inadequate in exploring the problem effectively. Few of them were not
focused on the topic ‘homelessness for single adults’ in London. This validation and thorough

Impact of Homelessness on the Health of Single Adults in London 8
evaluation of full text resulted in just 6 eligible articles and were included in the final evidence
based review.
2.3 Literature Search Strategy
The search strategy involved the keywords like “Homeless”, “London”,”Heath”,” Single Adults”,
“Homelessness” using AND, OR Boolean operands. The literature search was confined only to the
London while the other cities were excluded from the study. The content published only in English
language was included in the study to avoid unnecessary translation costs. The study involved the
adults aged 18 years or more living alone in London in rented accommodations or other places.
People aged less than 18 years were excluded from the study. The single adults involved the adults
who are college students, bachelors, divorced, widow, old age single adults, refugees, LGBT,
people from minor ethic groups and asylums.
2.4 Ethical Considerations
This review was evidence based literature review so did not involve any ethical consultations or
informed consent for the participants. The subjects were not met individually to collect their
responses. All the data was collected only through literature published between 2013 and 2019.
2.5 Summary
The study involves evidence based exploration and analysis of reliable sources of information from
London. The research will help the organisations and government bodies to bring strategic changes
in policies and regulations for the homeless single adults living in London.