Environmental Health: Addressing Homelessness and Housing in London

This report examines the critical intersection of environmental health, housing, and wellbeing, with a specific focus on the homeless population in London. It highlights the social determinants that contribute to homelessness and its detrimental effects on health, emphasizing the lack of access to proper shelter, healthcare, and employment opportunities. The report analyzes the role of community initiatives like the Barking and Dagenham Community in providing support and interventions to improve the housing and social care of homeless individuals. It further discusses the challenges faced by homeless people, including safety concerns, lack of a permanent address, and difficulties in accessing healthcare. The report also touches upon relevant theories such as social determinant theory and social constructionism to understand the underlying causes of homelessness and potential solutions. Ultimately, it underscores the importance of secure housing for enabling individuals to develop their skills, improve their health, and contribute positively to society. Desklib provides access to similar reports and solved assignments for students.

Running head: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Environmental Health
Name of Student
Name of the University
Author’s Note

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Table of Contents
1. Introduction:................................................................................................................................4
2. Social determinants......................................................................................................................5
3. Environmental factors leaving impact on wellbeing of homeless people:..................................6
4. The community and its needs:....................................................................................................9
4. Intervention................................................................................................................................11
5. Conclusion and Recommendations:..........................................................................................12
Reference List:...............................................................................................................................15

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The state of homelessness in London and its impact on health and Wellbeing

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1. Introduction:
Housing is considered as one of the most significant components of life for giving safety,
shelter and warmth. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of intervention
or strategies in promoting environment, housing and wellbeing. This particular study has focused
to evaluate the importance of housing for the wellbeing of community. Here, community refers
to the homeless people who cannot expose their skill and talents due to the lack of proper shelter
and job opportunity. Most of the homeless people die at the age of young with an average age of
47 in comparison to 77 for the general population (NHS Choices 2011). As per the statistical
data of London, around 8000 people like to sleep rough on the street of London as per every
year. Among them large number of people are immigrants coming in the soil of London due to
employability scope and opportunity.
Barking and Dagenham Community in London aims to provide voluntary services to
the society by executing various activities (lbbd.gov.uk 2018). This very specific study has
chosen this community to analyze on how Barking and Dagenham Community has provided
effective support to the homeless people by providing job opportunities. Most of the homeless
people are the victim of violent crimes. In addition, large numbers of people intend to commit
suicide being homeless and saturated in their lifestyle. This very specific study has provided in-
depth understanding on how a proper housing, environment and wellbeing is important for the
homeless community people. Various strategies and interventions are critically analyzed on how
the needs and demands of the homeless community people can be achieved. As per Annual
Health Report 2015, in every night of London, there are 30 rough sleepers, 100 people from

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destitute and squatting, 600 householders in emergency accommodation and 2,100 households
are in temporary accommodation (NHS Choices 2011).
2. Social determinants
Homeless people do not get that scope to reveal their talent due to economic barrier as
well as sustainability issue. As a result, large numbers of people due to the lack of proper
security are losing their lives. Therefore, Barking and Dagenham Community aims to improve
health, housing and social care of homeless people. As emphasized by Clark et al. (2012),
housing is the basic component of human being for getting a proper shelter and security. The
underlining concept housing not only aims to fulfill the needs and demands of the human by
providing a safe and secured place but also it helps in developing the economic development of
country. Getting a proper shelter is the basic need of a human being, based on which the
individual can flourish own skills and competencies. As a result, the country can easily render its
overall social development. More than 300,000 people in Britain are officially recorded to live
being homeless. It is observed that large number of Multinational Corporation is situated in
London who is hiring ample employees for providing effective services. Therefore, people
belonging to developing countries decide to take their shelter in London for availing the scope of
employability. In this kind of situation, the number of immigrants has been raised widely who
are unable to get proper shelter in the soil of London. However, Wells, Evans and Cheek (2016)
have pointed out that an effective environment and housing is highly important for giving a
healthy like of a human being. Every single human being is possessed with proper skills and
talents. Therefore, human being should get that platform to show their skills and talents.

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3. Environmental factors leaving impact on wellbeing of homeless people:
In order to provide a shelter and security to the homeless people environmental theory is
highly appropriate. This very specific theory aims to provide in-depth overview on how an
effective environment influences the mind of a people. In order to lead healthy and peaceful life
human needs to have a proper and healthy environment so that individuals get proper motivation
in rendering their career growth. Barking and Dagenham Community by implementing this
particular theory has aimed to provide a proper environment to the homeless children so that they
can show their skills and talents.
Unsworth, Dmitrieva and Adriasola (2013) stated that homelessness is one of the most
important reasons for the growth of public health issue. More than fifty percent of homeless
people have to face immense physical challenges for staying in an insecure and unsafe shelter.
In addition, large number of people is there who are very much talented and skillful in various

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extracurricular activities. Due to some of the major barriers especially homelessness, people find
innumerable challenges and difficulties in enhancing their skill and competency level. This very
specific study has focused to make in-depth overview on how Barking and Dagenham
Community can give a proper shelter to the homeless people for maintaining health and
wellbeing of homeless people.
As per the point of view of different eminent scholars, a proper housing renders security
and safety among the people based on which they can explore their skills and talents. In many
cases, it has been observed that people from other countries tend to migrate in western countries
for more employability opportunity. Turley et al. (2012) stated that people from various
geographical backgrounds and attitudes do not get sufficient space to settle down after coming in
foreign country for their future growth. As a result, many of them have to spend several nights in
being homeless. In this kind of situation, those people do not get their scope in revealing their
skills and competency being unable to get a proper shelter. In this situation, Barking and
Dagenham Community provides a proper housing to those people for developing the health and
wellbeing of a person (Perlman et al. 2012). In addition, people belonging to various
geographical boundaries and attitudes have to face hardships in getting accustomed with the
culture of a new country.
Yoshikawa, Aber and Beardslee (2012) opined that attention is devoted to the
effectiveness of intervention for homeless families who have to live their life being insecure. As
per the statistic about western countries, on the overall population, 36% of the people are
homeless and 50% are well sheltered. In the year 2010, the department of health stated that
people spending their lives in hostel, squat, streets, trains and all have to face mental and
physical health problem. Barking and Dagenham Community analyses that homelessness is

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the serious cause of maintaining unhealthy lifestyle such as smoking, having drugs, using
alcohol and so on. After being detached from home large number of people gets involved in
different anti-social activities. As a result, it ultimately affects the society from being developed
and educated. As per the opinion of Grimshaw et al. (2012), preventing homeless and promoting
housing has immense benefits and facilities for people’s housing outcome. Large number of
people after getting a proper shelter has changed their lifestyle by directing themselves towards
right path.
Theories:
La Placa, McNaught and Knight (2013) stated that homelessness can be analyzed by
social determinant theory, which primarily indicates that social and economic factors leave a
major impact on the wellbeing and health factors of human. Factors line income, place, gender,
employment and education affect on homelessness. These particular factors primarily determine
whether an individual human would be able to afford housing and food in leading a healthy
regular life (Reisch and Jani 2012). On the other hand, theory of social constructionism implies
that society is constituted with two types of personalities including owners and workers.
According to Karl Marks, the formers have tendency to show constant dominating attitude
towards later. As a result, the society is facing a major gap between “haves” and “have’s not”.
Baron et al. (2014) opined that the primary aim of sociological theory is to reduce the gap
between haves” and “have’s not. People who are suffering from homelessness should get a
platform of showing their skills and competencies. Barking and Dagenham Community by
following this particular theory has aimed to provide the children a proper shelter so that their
competency and talents are used towards a positive path.

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4. The community and its needs:
This very specific study has focused to give an in-depth overview on how Barking and
Dagenham Community needs a proper assistance for leading a healthy and systematic
association for improving housing and social care of homeless people. Homeless people in
search of housing have to face several challenges and are as follows:
 Homeless people being unsettled have to face immense challenges in carrying their
belongings and supplies every place they wander. This specific issue is a serious burden of an
individual (Nader et al. 2012). Therefore, Barking and Dagenham Community should give
a proper shelter and job opportunity to those people.
 Pons-Vigués et al. (2014) opined that without having any housing facility people have to face
challenges after being targeted from anti-social activists. In addition, it has also been
observed that after being deprived of receiving a proper housing and shelter the people get
provoked in associating with anti-social activities. Barking and Dagenham Community
should provide motivation to those people for avoiding in being involved within anti-social
deeds.
 Due to the lack of permanent address, the homeless people have to roam around here and
there. As a result, it becomes very much difficult for Barking and Dagenham Community
for keeping a track about the whereabouts of those people.
 After facing any kind of health issue, be it mental or physical the homeless people have to
face immense difficulties in admitting their member to any health care center due to

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economic constraints (Salimi et al. 2012). Maintaining the cost of treatment is one of the
most effective challenges for those people.
 Streets are not very safe for young aged women. Anti-social activists tend to target those
helpless women easily after seeing themselves homeless. As a result, large numbers of
women have to become victimized due to homelessness (Cabassa et al. 2013). Large
numbers of incidents are occurring regarding sexual harassment and molestation on women,
which ultimately resulted a negative influence on the society. Barking and Dagenham
Community should take effective initiatives by providing a proper shelter to the homeless
people.
After evaluating the issues of homeless people facing due to housing, it has been
observed that safety and security is the primary concern that most of the people have to face
(Yoshikawa, Aber and Beardslee 2012). Especially women have to face immense challenges in
leading a safe and secured life due to the occurrence of those anti-social activities. In addition,
Woods et al. (2013) has opined that lack of employability opportunity is one of the most
effective challenges that homeless people have to face. Due to the lack of a proper shelter large
number of people, having enough competency and skills cannot show their proper talents. Baral
et al. (2013) opposed the point of view of previous scholar. As per the opinion of this author,
homeless people have to face innumerable hardships after facing immense difficulties in making
their health treatment. Those kinds of people do not have sufficient economic strength of
admitting their children in a reputed health care center for better treatment.
Behind selecting Barking and Dagenham Community as the target community,
numerous eminent scholars have provided own point of views. As per the point of view of
Wright, Masten and Narayan, (2013), western government has taken some of the major strategies

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and policies for helping those homeless people in quest of developing their lifestyle. However,
London government has taken several initiatives for reducing the rate of people from being
homeless. Government has targeted £30 million fund for 2018 to 2019 for local authorities with
high levels of rough sleeping. As per future estimation, London government has targeted to
eliminate homelessness by 2027 (Gov.london 2018). By implementing homeless reduction act,
London government has decided to overcome the entire crisis of homeless people between the
years 2022 to 2027.
It has also been observed that large number of labor associated with private organization
tends to spend their night on street. Therefore, in order to help those rough sleeping workers
London government has estimated £100,000 funding. In addition, government of London is
making a negotiation with National Housing Federation to look for providing additional co-
ordination to the rough sleepers across the country (Gov.UK 2018). In addition, government has
instructed numerous active non-profit organizations as well for sharing their skills to the
homeless people in order to make them understand about the positive consequences of housing
(Blacksher and Lovasi 2012).
4. Intervention
Barking and Dagenham Community has implemented some of the major strategies in
order to improve the homelessness. The primary strategies are as follows:
 Working with territories to implement with homeless policy academy
 Work with governor, mayor as well as tribal organizations for maintaining a policy focused
on homelessness
 Providing training and development session to the workers regarding homelessness

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 Providing opportunity to the homeless people in showing their competency and skills
Homeless Reduction Policy should be implemented within the various territories of
London based on which the government can reduce the rate of homeless people. Government
would be estimated certain amount of budget for developing those territories where the rate of
homeless people is high. Steg et al. (2012) opined that National housing federation has taken
immense initiatives for changing the lifestyle of homeless people (Britto et al. 2017). The
volunteers associated with this very specific organization has taken initiative of identifying the
skills and talents of homeless community. After identifying their skill, the association has
focused to make an in-depth analysis for providing them a right platform. After the initiation of
London government, numerous non-profit organizations have also faced innumerable initiatives
for eliminating homelessness. The associates of this very specific organization have focused to
implement training and development session. With the help of this very specific training and
development session, the professionals would be enhanced communication skill (Lubans et al.
2012). As a result, they can communicate with the people of different geographical backgrounds
and attitudes without facing language barriers. An effective training would help the homeless
people to understand about the importance of improving the lifestyle of human being for
developing society. Housing enables a person to maintain personal health. As a result, it would
help for the wellbeing of community.
5. Conclusion and Recommendations:
This very specific study has provided in-depth analysis about the importance of housing
for the development and wellbeing of homeless people. It has been observed that in LONDON ,
around 8000 people have to sleep rough on the street of London as per every year. Among them

13ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
large number of people are immigrants coming in the soil of London due to employability scope
and opportunity. Large numbers of homeless people are the victim of violent crime. Especially
women are the ultimate victim of sexual abuses. In order to provide a peaceful World the
government should make an effective initiative based on which the rate of homeless people can
be reduced. Every single human being is possessed with proper skills and talents. Therefore,
human being should get that platform to show their skills and talents. Homeless people do not
get that scope to reveal their talent due to economic barrier as well as sustainability issue.
Barking and Dagenham Community after initiating homeless reduction policy,
providing training and development session to the workers regarding homelessness is the
primary initiatives taken by the government of London. In addition, the initiatives taken by the
non-profit organizations have helped these kinds of people immensely in understanding the value
and importance of housing. Lubans et al. (2012) stated that people endowed with good skill and
competency can get the scope of showing their skills and talents after the initiatives of non-profit
organizations. However, in the real World scenario of twenty first century, it is observed that
large number of homeless people is still prevailing in the soil of London. Some of the major
recommendations can be provided in this context:
 Skill development and livelihood of homeless people:
In order to develop the skills and livelihood of homeless people Barking and Dagenham
Community would have to take more effective initiatives and policies. This particular intuitive
would help in educating the homeless people on how they have to face challenges in being out of
home and proper services (Jennings et al. 2012). People from various geographical backgrounds
and attitudes have linguistic barriers. Therefore, the social activists may have to face challenges

14ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
in dealing with these kinds of people. However, professional by enhancing their skills and level
of competency in communication skill should interact with homeless people to make them
understand about the negative outcome of being unsheltered. By cooperating with National
Housing Federation, London government can take an initiative of eliminating the rate of
homelessness from Western countries.
 Major initiatives can be taken on behalf of department of health and social care:
It has been observed that large number of homeless people have to lose their life after
facing serious health disease. Lubans et al. (2012) opined that economic constraints are one of
the most effective reasons due to which people fail to afford sufficient amount of money for
treatment. However, this very specific study has focused to make an in-depth overview on how
department of health and social care can take an initiative for those homeless people so that
those people can make their treatment effortlessly (Liau et al. 2013). Department of health and
social care should initiate some innovative plans and policies based on which homeless people
get the scope to overcome serious diseases being treated from health care service providers.
 Implementation of government plans and policies:
As emphasized by Liau et al. (2013) some of the major plans and policies are created for
overcoming homelessness across western countries. Among those policies community
residences, housing first, homeless reduction are the most prominent. It has been observed
however that these specific regulations are not effectively used on behalf of Barking and
Dagenham Community. Consequently, large number of homeless people still has to face
immense barriers in de developing their lives. Women have to face immense hardships in
restricting themselves from anti-social activists. Due to the implementation of these policies,

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homeless people would get immense benefits and facilities in establishing their place within
organization. The level of employability opportunities would be increased automatically.

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