Dr Harry Tan, principal investigator of the IPS study, said the researchers embarked on the study to answer a “simple yet puzzling” question of why some homeless people sleep outdoors for such long periods.
“Long-term homelessness is a key challenge for governments, researchers, and outreach volunteers in Singapore and around the world, and the issues are often complex, unfolding across different stages of life.
“While policies are in place, tackling homelessness requires the efforts of government, community groups, and society as a whole,” Dr Tan said.
WHAT LEADS TO LONG-TERM HOMELESSNESS?
The first phase of the study was conducted between August 2021 and April 2022, which coincided with the immediate effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It involved interviews with 50 people who had experienced homelessness and were admitted to shelters during the pandemic.
Of these, 34 were individuals and 16 were families. Most were male, divorced or separated, and nearly all were Singapore citizens.
All respondents in the first phase of the study were found to have experienced multiple stressors, with more than 50 per cent experiencing five or more stressors in their lives.
More than 30 per cent of respondents cited income loss, low education, family conflict and marital conflict as key challenges.
Participants who were separated, divorced, or widowed experienced approximately five different types of stressors, compared with four stressors among those who were married or single.
