Report Identifies Increasing Hidden Homelessness

A recent report indicates that hidden homelessness is “becoming entrenched” within Devon and Cornwall. The study, conducted by Citizens Advice and the University of Plymouth, states that thousands of individuals are perpetually sofa-surfing, residing with parents, or remaining with abusive former partners due to an inability to afford independent housing. Individuals experiencing hidden homelessness do not reside on the streets; instead, they endure prolonged periods of overcrowding, an absence of privacy, insecurity, and a suspended existence. Wailim Wong of Citizens Advice Plymouth, Cornwall and South Hams commented, “Tackling hidden homelessness would be a more efficient and cost-effective use of public resources than waiting until people are actually homeless.” The report further asserts, “We believe there are thousands of people living in despair of ever finding a stable home, and this reality is becoming entrenched.” It also noted the absence of an official definition for hidden homelessness, observing that many perceive it solely as sofa-surfing – the practice of sleeping on various sofas owned by friends or relatives. The report included the testimony of a young mother who recounted saving for a house when her relationship ended, necessitating her departure from the family residence. She and her infant son were residing in a single room at a friend’s home in a nearby town, with no financial assistance from her former partner, according to the report. She stated in the report: “I went from almost having enough money for a deposit to buy a house, to suddenly having to use my savings to buy a car, pay for childcare and pay rent to my friend.” She added, “I can only work part-time because of having to look after my baby and I have no capacity to build up my finances again.” Concluding her statement, she remarked, “I’ll soon be too old to be accepted for a mortgage on low pay so I’m resigned to never owning my own home.” and “There is just no end in sight to my situation.” Citizens Advice indicated that a consistent rise in hidden homelessness has occurred, attributed to factors such as no-fault evictions, escalating rents, housing that is not affordable, and insufficient support for individuals accommodated in B&Bs alongside vulnerable strangers. Over a decade, house prices have increased by 74% in the South Hams, 62% in Cornwall, and 53% in Plymouth. Furthermore, the report noted that properties in the South Hams are priced at 14.48 times the average earnings. The report advocates for several measures: the appointment of dedicated council officers to assist the hidden homeless, an increase in affordable housing options for single individuals, particularly in rural regions, acknowledgment that hidden homelessness can contribute to mental health problems, and the establishment of a legal definition for hidden homelessness.