Key Points
- A pilot study led by researchers from King’s College London, Lambeth Services Users Council, and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine surveyed 74 adults experiencing homelessness in South London.
- The study revealed extensive stigma and discrimination across multiple public and support systems including health, housing, legal, and public services.
- Unfair treatment was reported by 85% in public settings, 72% in legal settings, 68% in housing services, and 65% in health services.
- People with three or more health conditions faced the highest frequency of discrimination across multiple systems.
- The study highlights the need for system-wide approaches to reduce stigma and improve access to support.
- The research is part of a wider UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowship project addressing stigma as a root cause of homelessness and inequality.
- The sample size was small and limited geographically; future larger-scale surveys are recommended.
What does the new study on homelessness stigma in South London reveal?
A recent pilot study published in BMJ Open and led by Dr Andy Guise, Senior Lecturer in Social Science and Health at King’s College London, together with researchers from the Lambeth Services Users Council and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, uncovers significant stigma and discrimination faced by people experiencing homelessness across South London. The research, which involved a survey of 74 adults living without stable housing, sheds light on how deeply unfair treatment pervades several sectors including healthcare, housing, legal, and public services.
As reported by Mirage News, participants disclosed frequent unfair treatment not only in everyday public spaces such as shops and public transport but alarmingly also within services that are designed to provide support—highlighting a systemic issue rather than isolated incidents.
How prevalent is discrimination against homeless people in various settings?
The survey findings are stark: 85% of respondents said they experienced unfair treatment in public settings; 72% in legal contexts such as encounters with police or courts; 68% when accessing housing and homelessness support services; and 65% within health settings, including general practice and hospitals. Notably, those with multiple health problems encountered discrimination even more frequently, illustrating a compounding effect of vulnerability.
Dr Andy Guise told Mirage News:
“People might expect stigma in certain everyday settings, but it is striking and deeply concerning that unfair treatment exists so broadly across many parts of society—including services meant to help. This reflects a serious, systemic picture of stigma and discrimination for people who are homeless in South London.”
Why is this study important in understanding homelessness?
Homelessness remains a growing challenge in London. According to a 2024 report by Shelter cited in the study, one in 47 people in London experiences homelessness. While previous research has linked stigma with poor mental health and barriers to healthcare access, the scale and spread of discrimination across diverse systems had not been quantified.
Jude Adams, co-author from Lambeth Services Users Council, emphasised to Mirage News the critical nature of understanding the extent of stigma:
“The results are a clear indication of how stigma is experienced across a range of services that people have to navigate.”
This suggests that intervention efforts must be comprehensive rather than fragmented.
Where was the study conducted and who did it include?
The survey was conducted from services supporting homeless individuals in Southwark, Lambeth, and Lewisham boroughs, including two hostels, three day centres, and a drug and alcohol service. The participants were 74 adults experiencing homelessness, who were asked about their encounters with unfair treatment across different settings and about their health issues.
Though the sample size was relatively small and didn’t allow for detailed breakdowns by gender or ethnicity, the insights lay important groundwork for further research that could explore how intersecting identities influence experiences of stigma.
What does this study suggest for future policies and research?
The team behind the study calls for system-wide approaches to reduce stigma and improve service access. Dr Guise’s wider research project, supported by the UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowship scheme, aims to tackle stigma as a root cause of homelessness and inequality, providing evidence to inform policy and practice.
Recognising the limitations of the pilot study, the researchers note that larger-scale, nationwide surveys are needed to better measure stigma’s prevalence and to understand how it interacts with factors such as race, gender, and homelessness history.
How does stigma affect health and wellbeing among homeless populations?
The study reiterates established links between stigma, discrimination, and adverse health outcomes. People experiencing homelessness often suffer from multiple health conditions. Those with three or more health issues were the ones reporting the most frequent unfair treatment across 4 to 8 different settings, according to the survey data.
Stigma aggravates mental health challenges and can create additional barriers to accessing essential healthcare services, worsening inequalities and perpetuating cycles of disadvantage.
Who funded and supported this research?
This work forms part of Dr Guise’s broader project focused on social determinants of health among vulnerable groups, funded by the UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowship programme. The collaboration with community organisations like the Lambeth Services Users Council ensured the study was grounded in lived experience and practical insights.
