New research estimates more than 200,000 families and individuals now ‘hidden homeless’ across Britain

Without official government stats, Crisis provides the first comprehensive number for people sofa surfing, living in cars or sheltering in garages – and shows the precariousness and dangers of hidden homelessness

New research from the charity Crisis and Heriot-Watt University today reveals that more than 200,000 families and individuals across Britain are now experiencing ‘hidden homelessness’. This includes people forced to sleep on friends’ sofas or strangers’ floors, to live in cars or sheds, or to shelter in industrial buildings, often leaving them in harm’s way.

The new report estimates that 208,600 households in Britain are currently facing precarious forms of hidden homelessness, an increase of nearly a third (30%) since 2020 [1]. Without official government statistics, Crisis considers this the first comprehensive number for people facing precarious forms of hidden homelessness in Britain, and believes it shows the problem is more urgent than thought.

The report combines the research from Heriot-Watt University with a survey of 225 people who have recently experienced forms of homelessness hidden from view, bringing to light common experiences and impacts [2].

Why people experience hidden homelessness, and where they stay

The survey found many different reasons for people becoming hidden homeless, with the most common being losing a previous home or separating from a partner. Once homeless, many people faced great instability and uncertainty – seeking refuge in many different places in short periods of time. Two fifths of respondents moved more than six times within a typical month. Many moved in and out of hidden homelessness between periods of more secure housing and periods in hostels and shelters, or even rough sleeping.

People most commonly sofa surfed with friends or family (65%), but many also sofa surfed with a stranger (29%). It was very common for people to stay in a shed or tent (67%), or in a car, van or boat (42%). More than a quarter of people had stayed in a public toilet (27%).

Loneliness, and how uncertainty destabilises the day-to-day

Hidden homelessness has clear impacts on people’s mental health and morale. More than 80% of respondents said that it impacted their mental health. Many participants shared that hidden homelessness had impacted their relationships with family and friends, made them feel like a burden, and negatively affected their sense of identity. Three quarters of respondents said being hidden homeless left them lonelier and more isolated.

The survey also indicates that the personal impacts of hidden homelessness are challenging and profound. Many people are unable to wash or cook. Continuously moving from place to place makes it difficult to keep hold of belongings and important documents. This leaves people feeling disconnected from their previous lives and makes it more difficult to find and maintain work.

Risks and dangers – and the disproportionate impact on women

People experiencing hidden homelessness face significant, or even extreme, danger. Nearly 60% said being hidden homeless made them feel afraid for their life at some point, which rose to 70% among women. Nearly three quarters of people (71%) did not feel safe or secure, and 60% had stayed with people they are not comfortable with; for women, this rose to 70%.

While the survey had a smaller number of women respondents, it indicated that experiences for women are disproportionately dangerous and traumatic [3]. In the survey, 43% said they were unable to access toilets during menstruation, and two fifths that they were unable to wash or keep clean. Women were more likely to stay with acquaintances, strangers, and people they did not feel comfortable with than men. Two thirds of women experienced violence or abuse while hidden homeless.

Matt Downie, Chief Executive at Crisis, said:

“Over the cold weeks to come, hundreds of thousands of people across Britain will be facing up to the dangers and uncertainties of homelessness – but doing so hidden from view. Without private space, or somewhere to wash and cook, people in our communities will be moving from someone’s sofa to someone else’s garage. Others will stay with people they don’t know to avoid sleeping on the streets. Some will find their identity slipping away. Many will feel lonely.

“We knew that hidden forms of homelessness were common, but this report reveals a more urgent problem than we thought. We need more support from the UK Government to tackle homelessness – including a clear plan to deliver new social homes and proper funding in England for the support people need to keep their homes and prevent homelessness from happening in the first place. This must include unfreezing housing benefit urgently, which is driving homelessness across Britain.

“We also know that many people want to help right now. This winter, Crisis will be working to help people experience their first day out of homelessness through our hotels, day centres and frontline services. People can support this vital work by donating or volunteering at one of our centres.”

-Ends-

Notes to Editor

[1] Crisis’ report, ‘Revealing the reality behind hidden homelessness’, defines ‘hidden homelessness’ as sofa-surfing or sleeping in unconventional accommodation such as cars, vans, sheds, and garages.

The figures for Great Britain use statistical modelling conducted as part of the Homelessness Monitor, a 14-year research programme tracking homelessness trends, funded by Crisis and conducted by Heriot-Watt University.

The research triangulates a range of data sources to produce a robust estimate of the scale of various forms of homelessness, including households not represented in official statistics.

National and area breakdowns

2024
	England	Scotland	Wales	Total
Sofa surfing	166,800	14,500	7,200	188,500
Unconventional accommodation	18,600	900	600	20,100
Total	185,400	15,400	7,800	208,600
2020
	England	Scotland	Wales	Total
Sofa surfing	123,900	12,400	4,800	141,200
Unconventional accommodation	17,700	900	600	19,200
Total	141,700	13,300	5,400	160,400	% increase to 2024		30%

These numbers provided by Heriot-Watt University are a point-in-time estimate using a method designed to minimise double-counting of individuals, giving a person’s main living situation at the point of data capture. In contrast, the survey findings (more below) give a fuller picture of all the places a sample of people (225) have stayed across their experiences of hidden homelessness. Please note that apparent discrepancies in totals are due to rounding.

[2] To demonstrate the day-to-day realities of hidden homelessness, we conducted a survey of 225 people who have experienced hidden homelessness. In-depth interviews were done with four participants to gain further, qualitative insights into their experiences.

Some of the survey’s main findings include:

• Two thirds of people experiencing hidden homelessness have slept in a shed or tent; two thirds have sofa surfed with friends or family; and nearly a third have sofa-surfed with a stranger
• Nearly three in five have slept in commercial or industrial premises, around half squatted in an abandoned property, and two fifths stayed in a car or van
• Women were more likely than men to sofa surf with a stranger and less likely to sleep on public transport
• Sofa surfing doesn’t always mean people sleep on the sofa. A third of people ‘sofa surfing’ usually slept on the floor
• Half of the respondents could only access where they are staying during the night

Why are people forced into hidden homelessness?

• People end up experiencing hidden homelessness for different reasons: for a quarter of respondents, a relationship breakdown contributed to them becoming hidden homeless, another quarter because they couldn’t stay in their previous accommodation

What are the impacts on daily life?

• Many people experiencing hidden homelessness had no access to washing facilities (38%), and even more had no access to cooking facilities (65%)
• Two thirds of people do not have access to private space
• Three fifths could not store their belongings, or their important documents
• Half the respondents found it harder to look for a job, two fifths to keep one

Are there specific impacts on women?

• In the survey, 43% said they were unable to access toilets during menstruation, and two fifths that they were unable to wash/ keep clean
• 38% were unable to access menstruation products. Half said they had used DIY products to manage menstruation
• Two thirds of women experienced violence or abuse while hidden homeless
• Two fifths of women had been sexually assaulted while hidden homeless
• One third of women had felt pressured into sexual activity in order to have a roof over their head

How does it affect people’s health and their safety?

• More than 80% said it impacted their mental health, and their ability to get enough sleep
• Three quarters of people said being hidden homeless left them feeling more lonely and isolated
• Nearly 60% said being hidden homeless made them feel afraid for their life at some point, which rose to 70% amongst women
• 71% did not feel safe or secure when hidden homeless
• Over 70% said maintaining or improving their physical health was impacted
• 60% had stayed with people they are not comfortable with; for women this rose to 70%

[3] The nature of women’s homelessness means that women can be even more hidden and difficult to reach in research.

Through surveying homelessness services, we were able to reach a sample of 37 women experiencing hidden homelessness, out of a total survey sample of 225. While this sample size doesn’t allow us to draw generalisable conclusions about women’s hidden homelessness, the findings illustrate some marked gender differences within the sample.

About Crisis  

Crisis is the national charity for people facing homelessness across Wales, Scotland and England. We know that homelessness is not inevitable, and we know that together, we can end it.

We provide services directly to people experiencing homelessness, carry out research into the causes and consequences of homelessness, and campaign for the changes needed to end it.