‘I always kept one eye open’: The experiences and impacts of

Increasing levels Journeys into rough Rough sleeping, the most visible form of of rough sleeping can also be set within sleeping homelessness, is increasing and shockingly People forced to sleep rough are the most the wider context of rising homelessness in more and more people have no choice but visible, most acute, symptom of a systemic England. [...] People sleeping said that they had struggled with the cost in behaviour of others around them, especially rough are far less likely to be female or identify of renting and had experienced rent arrears, the general public, with 70% of the last 738 as female (11% of this sample). [...] of their experiences of sleeping rough being of the public were responsible for 81% of Interactions with the police other people and the general public in instances when participants were threatened Despite the ongoing and repeated nature of particular. [...] Overall, out of 733 incidents only 109 on their first night of rough sleeping which When considered in relation to participants’ There were also more targeted attacks and (15%) of the last incidents experienced were included fear of the unknown, the vulnerability traumatic first night’s rough sleeping, this abuse on participants due to their gender, reported to the police. [...] provision of Housing First in England so that Participants were asked about the impact As the research demonstrates, sleeping rough it is available to all who need it, and alongside that sleeping rough had on them as a person is dangerous, traumatic and has devastating this to ensure access to specialist supported and their views of themselves and our society impacts on people’s health and wellbei.