New report shines a light on hidden homelessness in the South West

The report is the result of a research collaboration between Citizens Advice South Hams and the Plymouth Business School
Hidden Homelessness report by Citizens Advice and Plymouth Business School
David Burt

Many people in Devon and Cornwall are losing hope of being able to find a permanent home, according to a new and hard-hitting report.
The research by Citizens Advice South Hams and the University of Plymouth's Plymouth Business School has revealed the extent of, and problems caused by, Hidden Homelessness and suggested how these could be tackled.
It found there are potentially thousands of people across the South West who are not living on the street, but finding themselves in various and precarious housing situations through little or no fault of their own.
This results in them having to sofa surf, share overcrowded accommodation or move back into unsuitable living arrangements with parents and other family members.
The report says this has been caused by the combination of a lack of affordable housing to rent or buy, continued rising rents and house prices, competition from the holiday and second home market, low wages and high interest rates, all of which show little signs of letting-up.
Aiming to shine a light on the plight of people experiencing these issues, it also hopes and to suggest ways of easing the situation for an under-researched but growing problem for society.

There is no official definition of Hidden Homelessness, and that makes it difficult for charities and authorities to get to grips with the issue.

Until we have a definition everyone agrees on we can’t begin to tackle the problem, and that is something this report aims to address. We also hope its findings encourage people and authorities to pay more attention to an issue which is making life difficult for more people and, in some cases, results in people living on the streets because they ultimately have no alternatives. 

Nigel JacksonDr Nigel Jackson
Associate Professor (Reader) in Persuasion and Communication

We believe there are thousands of people living in despair of ever finding a stable home. This reality is becoming entrenched as there seems to be no end in sight to rising rents and house prices caused by lack of new homes and competition from the holiday market.

Our advisers are seeing more people who are sofa surfing, living in totally unsuitable accommodation or having to continue living with partners or relatives long after a relationship has broken down.
Janie Moor
Chief Executive, Citizens Advice South Hams
The report builds on previous work between Citizens Advice and the University which highlighted the growing crisis for renters in Devon and Cornwall.
It covers the South Hams, Plymouth and Cornwall, and includes first hand testimony from people who are experiencing Hidden Homelessness, the views of housing charities and an analysis of the situation.
Based on those discussions, it proposes a standard definition of Hidden Homelessness that is says should include:
  • People who are sofa surfing;
  • People living with others in overcrowded accommodation but unable to move out;
  • People living with someone when the relationship has broken down;
  • People who are living with parents where this is causing a problem.
It also makes a series of other recommendations including: the provision of more affordable homes for single people, especially in rural areas; the increased recognition of the effects of Hidden Homelessness on people’s mental health; and the designation of dedicated council officers who can act as a point of advice, information and contact for people classed as Hidden Homeless.
 
 

Read more information linked to this article

Hidden Homelessness project

Visit the Citizens Advice South Hams website

Citizens Advice report launch 2023

A growing crisis for renters in Devon and Cornwall

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