Pathways to later life homelessness.

The aim of this doctoral thesis is to increase the understanding of the causes of
homelessness in later life, by identifying how antecedents, states and events interact and
both trigger and contribute to homelessness, and the processes and pathways involved in
the transition to homelessness. Using present theories, concepts and empirical evidence
as a foundation, the thesis is largely informed by an intensive ethnographic field study
which lasted for 15 months and was carried out in London, Sheffield, Leeds and
Manchester. It involved 225 respondents over the age of 55 years, the majority of
whom were homeless when interviewed. Through depth interviewing and the
compilation of partial life histories, it was possible to collect objective information
which enabled some quantitative comparisons and statistical analysis, and qualitative
data which enabled analyses using detailed case study reports.
A descriptive profile of the characteristics of the respondents and their histories
of homelessness identifies the distinctive features of this group. Although some had
been homeless since early adulthood and were in a state of chronic homelessness, others
had experienced homelessness for the first time in old age. Four commonly-reported
situations preceding homelessness are identified, and these are examined in depth and
provide the core of the qualitative analyses. These are mobile work histories,
bereavement, the breakdown of intimate relationships, and mental illness.
The thesis demonstrates that the origins of homelessness are complex, and deepseated,
they are intricately related to psychological and sociological factors, and that
homelessness extends far beyond a lack of housing. By increasing the knowledge of the
aetiology of homelessness, the thesis also makes a contribution to the understanding of
the problems and needs of older homeless people and is thus informative to welfare
policy and practice.