Media Influence On Homelessness

Homelessness in the UK was one of the most prevalent social problems in the 80s and the 90s, in the 80s this problem predominantly affected families; however, by the 90s it had escalated to individuals who had no dependents and were of working age. Quilgars, (1997). Its rise meant that the media and the central government became interested, until date; however, homelessness is still a problem that London has come to face. In 2015, it was estimated that approximately 2,744 people in the United Kingdom (UK) were made homeless and sleeping in the streets. In London, rough sleeping has shot up by a depressing 80 percent since 2010 with 742 people counted bedding down on the capital’s streets. Homelessness does not just show itself through people sleeping on the streets. Figure from housing charity Shelter reveal from autumn 2013 to 2014, the
However, the media has also played a part in portraying a negative image of homeless people. For example headlines such as ‘don’t give money to beggars’ (BBC, 2015), and published statistics demonstrated that individuals are using homelessness as a means of funding their alcohol and drug habits. These media publications portray a negative image of homeless individuals sleeping rough, it is uncertain to know exactly the percentage of those who are genuinely in need of help, for example, Newcastle council found that 96% of beggars had a registered address Tyne and Wear, (2015). Despite the fact, that such statistics may prevent people, non-profit organizations, and the government from helping. This is because of cuts that have been made; it could also be argued that the negative image of homeless individuals portrayed could have been the cause of these