This article presents an analysis of the causes of homelessness in the UK, and develops the notion that the bulk of the research has focused on 'discrete' causes of homelessness, which has been important for enhancing our knowledge, but has also led to gaps in our understanding. To this end, the article begins outlining the benefits of the pathways approach, acknowledging the potential contributions of this approach rather than fully developing the argument, and placing it in a wider context. This article concludes by discussing implications for a more dynamic explanation of homelessness and the impact that it is likely to have on both policy and research in the UK. Copyright (C) 2003 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.