Steady rise in hidden homelessness, report finds

Citizens Advice said there had been a steady increase in hidden homelessness

Hidden homelessness is "becoming entrenched" in Devon and Cornwall, according to the authors of a new report.

Thousands spend their lives sofa-surfing, living with parents, or staying with abusive ex-partners because they cannot afford to move out, said the report by Citizens Advice and the University of Plymouth.

Those who are hidden homeless do not live on the streets but face years of overcrowding, lack of privacy, insecurity and a life on pause.

"Tackling hidden homelessness would be a more efficient and cost-effective use of public resources than waiting until people are actually homeless,” said Wailim Wong from Citizens Advice Plymouth, Cornwall and South Hams.

"We believe there are thousands of people living in despair of ever finding a stable home, and this reality is becoming entrenched."

'No end in sight'

The report said there was no official definition of hidden homelessness, with many thinking it only refers to sofa-surfers - people who sleep on a succession of sofas belonging to friends or relatives.

A young mother who was quoted in the report said she was saving for a house when her relationship broke down and she had to leave the family home.

She and her baby son were living in a single room at a friend's house in a nearby town and received no financial support from her ex-partner, the report said.

"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 said in the report.

"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.

"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.

"There is just no end in sight to my situation."

Rising house prices

Citizens Advice said there had been a steady increase in hidden homelessness due to no-fault evictions, rising rents, unaffordable homes, and a lack of support if they are placed in B&Bs with vulnerable strangers.

House prices have risen 74% in the South Hams, 62% in Cornwall and 53% in Plymouth in 10 years, while properties in the South Hams cost 14.48 times average earnings, the report said.

The report called for dedicated council officers for the hidden homeless, more affordable homes for single people, especially in rural areas, recognition that hidden homelessness can be a contributory factor in mental health issues and a legal definition of hidden homelessness.