to wonder why the homeless population i see are overwhelming white men?

[staydazzling]

this is a genuine question, and observation so definitely not intended to be a bunfight, i just wonder why the escalating homeless issue seems to effect the population most people would view as one of the most privileged. i have a seen a few women, i do in balance live more rurally so maybe my general environment is more white anyway.But its tragic all the same.

One reason you tend to see fewer women is (in general) women tend to have better social networks than men so will "sofa surf" while homeless and be less likely to be immediately out on the street

Women are considered vulnerable and therefore a priority when it comes to housing men are simply not

It sounds like a huge generalisation, but I think the way some men behave (violence, drink, drugs, etc) means they're more likely to be kicked out of home by their parents as young adults. Women with children are more likely to be able to access housing and support than single men. And as op said, women are more likely to have a network of people who will allow them to 'sofa surf'.

As to why they're mainly white men, I think this is probably due to demographic of the area you live in. I've seen a lot of black homeless men in London.

A lot are ex-service men that couldn't adapt to civvy life sadly. I think there was a statistic from st Mungo's that it was around the 80% mark.

It's a couple of years old but
www.bigissue.com/latest/former-services-personnel-face-homelessness-ticking-timebomb/

My percentage was a bit high (though trying to remember the stat from well over 18 years ago!)

Women tend to have 'priority need' for social housing more often than men.

It's odd you ask this, as yesterday I saw young black homeless male and I realised I normally only see white females/males - live in London if that makes any difference.

I wonder if its something cultural? I have a big family and we very much were raised to look after each other (was normal to have people staying with us when I was younger).

I am an ethnic minority female and only posting from my experience.

Its thr difference between rough sleeping and other types of homelessness. Rough sleepers are mostly men but women remain the larger group of homeless people. They are hidden away in b&bs or hostels or shelters whereas rough sleepers tend to have other problems, mostly mental health related, that means they find it harder to engage with services who aim to help.

Women are prioritised over men for housing as they are considered more vulnerable.

Women are also more likely to be sexually exploited in a desperate situation, which often puts a roof over their heads but obviously at a horrible price.

If you walked through the Mall at Stratford in the evening you wouldn’t think this. It’s like a cardboard city, and the 30 or so people I saw sleeping rough there were Asian men. I think it’s the area you live in, most likely. Locally to me you see a mix of white men and white women (who seem to have drug problems), and black men (who seem to have mental health problems).

What strikes me is how sharply the number of homeless people has risen in recent years.

I think it has always been so. I'm 60 and although I'd say there is more homelessness now than when I was young, it was always more a male problem . In my younger days it was usually the classic "older alcoholic" men who'd be sleeping rough in the parks. Since the 1970's there have been more mentally ill people, because of the closure of the large psychiatric hospitals, but once again it is more obvious that the men are sleeping rough. Women would be more likely to have family / friend networks to help, or to get emergency housing .

I wonder if it's also because woman are more likely to ask for help before it gets to the point of rough sleeping? Woman are also more likely to research all options and what help is available in my experience (that's for everything in life - not just accommodation), but it is a known fact that there are more woman as part of facebook groups as we are more likely to reach out for support

I used to work for a homeless charity, and there were a lot of women, but I'd say about 2/3 men and 1/3 women. And yes, women get priority housing. I also agree that the majority are white people.

People of colour often come from cultures or sub-cultures that are heavy handed in terms of the support friends / family will provide. It takes a lot to remove that support (usually drugs in my culture).

Women get housed sooner than men. Simple as.

Statistically they are more likely, I think the age group is around 40 something. Women often have children and are therefore given priority for housing.

This is what I've observed too, though I'd thought what other posters have said - that homeless people from other social groups are around but less visible for various reasons. I have also seen a LOT more homeless people on the streets again in the past year, in other towns and cities as well as where I live.

thanks for replies, very tragic about service men, shameful we should be looking after them fgs.

It is not true that women are prioritised over men with homelessness. It is true that if you have kids, the kids will be prioritised. Women are much more likely if they are single to have kids living with them than single men. But women without kids are not prioritised and never have been.

Women are more likely to sofa surf or to go into prostitution than men. I slept on the street and got approached by men offering sex for money on the first night.

I mean offering money for sex.

You often hear that the reason for homelessness is that they lost their job, spiralled into drink/drugs/depression, and there is very poor support for men.

Where I live, a cardboard city has sprung up under the boardwalk. I don't know the demographic under there though.

You said you live rurally. It’s probably something to do with the demographic there. I live in a city. We have plenty of homeless people who are women and BAME. I don’t think this problem predominantly affects white males.

I live in a city where half the population are of Asian origin but yes the majority of rough sleepers are white. maybe the Asian community have better family/ support networks so vulnerable people are less likely to be homeless or have wider extended family to help out?