"Why are you doing this? Is this the way that you guys treat everybody or are you just singling me out…?" [Interviewee] 

In the UK right now, racism and discrimination in our society, services and systems contribute to a person’s homelessness. 

Crisis' new research report "Where do I belong? Where is home?" Experiences of Racism and Homelessness shows how racism can lead to homelessness through 58 testimonials from people directly impacted by it.  

When I took over this project, it was clear that this research was not trying to uncover some unknown ‘truth’. It wasn’t trying to prove some theory.  

We already know there’s a link between race and homelessness through existing statistical data. Between 2018-2023, 10-11% of those seeking homelessness support from their local authority in England were Black; despite Black people making up 4% of England’s population.  

Our front-line staff can attest to the racism experienced by the people they support, that makes their homelessness harder to prevent and leave behind.  

There was never a question to answer of whether there is racialised inequality in homelessness. There was never any doubt. 

 

The human stories behind the statistics  

Instead of supplying more numbers, figures or rates of change, our research takes a different angle. 

It brings human stories from the people who have experienced firsthand the inequality shown in the existing evidence, into the research space. 

Fifty-eight people across Great Britain with lived experience of racism and homelessness shared their own stories with Crisis’ Research team, and a group of community researchers. 

A panel of Experts by Experience shaped the research itself from the outset, which meant that the responsibility to amplify too-often ignored voices stayed central to the project and to the final report.  

“Working on a research project where community researchers are valued meant I felt assured that we would be working together towards social change; by making the most of the knowledge offered by the community's lived experience to ensure that the narratives and research are authentic" [Expert by Experience] 

We were also guided by a panel of organisations already doing important work to address racial inequality in housing. This helped make sure our research was adding value to the existing evidence base. 

As a white researcher myself, those 58 stories from people from across Great Britain have given me a new way of thinking about research; and have opened my eyes to how racism plays out in the lives of the people we support through our homelessness services. 

 

What we have learned about racism and homelessness from people’s experiences  

As an organisation that supports people experiencing homelessness, we know that a single incident rarely causes someone to lose their home. More often, a series of personal pressures – a job loss, a relationship breakdown, an eviction – build up, against a backdrop of external pressures – cost of living crisis, increasing rents – and pushes them into homelessness.  

Similarly, our interviewees rarely pointed to one, isolated racist incident that triggered their homelessness. Instead, they described a lifetime of worse treatment leading up to their homelessness, and the structures and systems which had contributed to this. They spoke of racial stereotyping at school; of growing up in areas that were further from their community because housing was unaffordable; of racial profiling by the police; of being the subject of racist jokes at job interviews; of receiving inadequate healthcare because of prejudiced assumptions. These had directly or indirectly resulted in their homelessness. 

We also know that the journey into homelessness, through the homelessness system and into a secure and sustainable ‘home’ can be long, complicated, bewildering, traumatising, and dehumanising. We already know no-one should go through this. Yet our interviewees described their own journeys being punctuated at every stage with overt racism, xenophobia, assumptions and stereotypes imposed on them, through a system that disadvantages them. They described insufficient support from housing providers when experiencing racist abuse from other residents; of being allocated housing in areas where they were at risk of racist harassment or ostracism; of being afraid of advocating for themselves in case they are seen as ‘threatening’; of being required to provide evidence of citizenship despite being UK nationals. It comes across as death from a thousand cuts. 

“… a lot of the time people experience micro aggression and they don’t realise how impactful [it is]… It’s just like this idea of always having to justify oneself. Always having to justify one’s experience of racism. Also pandering around to not offend anyone but also try and be as truthful about your experience as possible... But it’s almost like, yeah what’s the point. I don’t even want to discuss this because it’s just too draining.” [Interviewee] 

 

What happens next?  

Crisis will work alongside the many organisations and others who are already working to tackle racism and discrimination, and amplify the wider call for a fairer system. 

Certain practices had met interviewees’ needs: tailored support; joined up working; advocates who could help people know their rights. Sources of practical and emotional support, connection and community helped them manage their housing situation and process their own negative experiences. We can all learn from these insights and ensure we’re following best practice and dismantling any barriers to these sources of support. 

The Westminster government has committed to producing a strategy to tackle homelessness, but we have yet to see detail on what this will include. It's critical the new strategy looks at and addresses racial discrimination, and the fact that homelessness disproportionately impacts people of colour.  

In our new ten-year strategy, we’re committed to supporting those of us who are most marginalised, and at risk of encountering worse treatment in the homelessness system. 

It’s crucial for everyone to keep shining a light on this issue. We must continue to listen to and amplify lived experience voices. And we must push for changes to our laws and support systems so that they include everyone in our society.

“It’s made it very, very much more upsetting because the same things that I went through, that I had no control over, my kids have had to go through. But I’m hoping that, that will never have to happen for my grandchildren. I’m hoping I can break the cycle from now.” [Interviewee] 

Read the report