When many people think of homelessness, the image that comes to mind is often simply someone who is sleeping rough. The reality of what homelessness is, however, is a lot broader than this. Much of the homelessness in Britain is actually ‘hidden’.
Leading homelessness charities Shelter and Crisis have written about what homelessness actually means. Crucially, they state that you can be homeless even if you have a roof over your head.
Many situations fit into their definitions of homelessness, including people who are:
– sofa surfing or staying with friends or family
– staying in a hostel, night shelter or B&B, women’s refuge, or temporary private and social housing
– squatting
– living in unsuitable accommodation such as ‘beds in sheds’, or vehicles without a parking right
– at risk of violence or abuse in their home
– living in such poor conditions that it affects their mental and/or physical health
– living apart from their family because they don’t have a place to live together
Understanding that all of these situations count as homelessness is important to our work. It means we can get the best outcomes for the people we support. These people may all be part of the ‘hidden homeless’ or otherwise face homelessness in the imminent future.
