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Belonging: The Missing Piece in Ending Homelessness

June 10, 2025

Bonnie Williams

Why Belonging Matters

As a CEO of a homelessness charity, I am often asked: “What does it really take to end homelessness?” The first answer is always obvious – safe, stable housing. But a sense of belonging and the importance of community are often overlooked.

Every major study into human needs, from Maslow’s famous hierarchy to more modern frameworks, points to the same fundamental truth: we all need to feel that we belong. It’s not just about shelter or safety. It’s about connection, acceptance, and being part of something bigger than ourselves.

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs places “love and belonging” right in the middle of the pyramid, after food, water, and safety, but before esteem and self-actualisation. While Maslow’s model isn’t perfect (and many now argue that our needs are far more interwoven and complex), it captures a core idea – without meaningful relationships and a sense of community, it’s nearly impossible to thrive as an individual.

Despite this, homelessness services often focus on bricks and mortar. While housing is essential, it is not enough on its own. Too often, the deeper need for connection is overlooked. The evidence is clear: people who become homeless are frequently those who lack a strong network of family or friends. If they had those relationships, many would never end up sleeping rough.

Recent studies reinforce this point. One found that “meaningful activity was an important pathway to belonging,” with participants saying, “being where I am with people who care about me, I actually feel good.” Yet many described feeling that society was “not for me…it’s for people with…enough money to…enjoy those things”.

As one report put it, “Building strong community bonds is essential for fostering hope and resilience among individuals facing homelessness and trauma.” Activities like group workshops and volunteering help people form “meaningful connections that offer emotional support and encouragement,” which are crucial for overcoming isolation and despair.

Social support also directly improves health. Research in Toronto found that homeless individuals with strong informal networks (friends, family, neighbours) had better physical and mental health, and were less likely to be victimised. “Emotional support from close friends reduced health problems and depressive symptoms.” Notably, support from informal networks was more meaningful than that from service providers.

The Housing First approach gives people a stable base to reconnect. One participant shared, “They give you love, those people, they give me love. I can feel it. They really care about me. … Even when I was in the hospital, they used to call me to see how I’m doing.”

Genuine Relationships Change Lives

The power of community cannot be overstated. Genuine relationships – real friendships, not just professional support – are transformative. They offer hope, encouragement, and a sense of identity. They help people move beyond survival and start to rebuild their lives.

Building relationships with others who have similar experiences fosters belonging and emotional support. However, people in hostels often share only a desire to exit homelessness, making it harder to find true community. As one person put it, “If you’re homeless…most times you don’t have the same interest as people whom you are with…if you are just trying to find a way out, I think your interests are different.”

Ending homelessness requires more than just providing keys to a door. It means unlocking the doors to community, friendship, and belonging. It means recognising that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, deserves to be part of a community that cares.

How we’re Helping

At Housing Justice, we’re challenging ourselves and the sector to go beyond the basics. We are investing in spaces and opportunities for genuine connections. We are encouraging local communities to reach out, listen and include people who are facing homelessness.

Our Citadel, Hosting and Refugee Lodgings projects all offer opportunities to the community to support people in meaningful ways, where people build genuine connections and gain a sense of purpose.

If you’re reading this and wondering how you can help, start with a simple act of kindness. Say hello. Listen. Volunteer. Or just be a friend. You might just be the connection someone needs to start rebuilding their life.

References

•     Maslow, A. H. (1943). A Theory of Human Motivation.
•      Kidd, S. A., et al. (2017). Social relationships and homelessness: The importance of social capital.
•      Johnsen, S., & Teixeira, L. (2010). Staircases, elevators and cycles of change: ‘Housing First’ and other housing models for homeless people with complex support needs.