There are around 400,000 single hidden homeless people in England. This includes those staying in hostels (26,470), B&Bs (67,500), squats (9,600) on friends’ floors and those staying in overcrowded accommodation (Crisis, 2001)

The four-week rule is the process by which newly homeless people become acclimatised to life on the street. After that they become entrenched and it becomes more difficult for them to move back into mainstream society (Crisis, Homelessness Factfile, 1998)

Around 25 per cent of rough sleepers are aged between 18 and 25 (SEU, July 1998)

Between a quarter and a third of rough sleepers have been looked after by local authorities as children. This compares to national figures which show that only one per cent of all those under 18 have been in care (SEU, 1998)

Family conflict is the main immediate cause of homelessness amongst at least two thirds of homeless young people (Crisis, Trouble at Home, 2001)

86 per cent of young homeless people are forced to leave home rather than choose to (SEU, July 1998)

45 per cent of young homeless people have experienced violence in the family home on more than one occasion (Safe in the City, Taking Risks, 1999)

Around half of rough sleepers have been in prison or a remand centre at some time (SEU, July 1998)

40 per cent of prisoners are homeless on release (SEU, July 1998)

63 per cent of women aged 30-49 cite domestic violence as the key reason for their homelessness (Crisis, Out of Sight, Out of Mind? – The Experience of homeless Women, 1999)