Housing insecurity and hidden homelessness: research

5 Characteristics of those experiencing hidden homelessness

5.1 Introduction

This section describes the perceptions of third sector participants on those at most risk of hidden homelessness based on their professional experience. Third sector participants reflected both on those who were more likely to be hidden and those more likely to experience forms of homelessness that are often associated with remaining hidden. Third sector participants were asked whether, in their experience, some groups were particularly susceptible to hidden homelessness. This was followed by probing into why they believed this might be the case.

The views of support organisations may reflect the type of services they provide and the demographics of their clientele. Some third sector participants in this study represent organisations which provide support targeted at specific demographics or lived experiences, such as people experiencing domestic abuse, those affected by substance use, women, LGBTI people, and people from minority ethnic communities. This will influence their views and the basis of their experiences. These organisations were also selected based on an understanding of who may be more likely to experience hidden homelessness from the literature and consultation with experts, so there may be an element of reinforcing existing knowledge, especially since those experiencing hidden homelessness who have no interaction with third sector participants are not represented in this part of the research. There may, therefore, be differences in the characteristics, circumstances, or experiences of those not in touch with third sector participants.

This section outlines the groups and characteristics of people that third sector participants believe are most at risk of hidden homelessness. The five most cited groups are:

• young people
• those with experience of domestic abuse
• women
• minority ethnic groups
• those in higher or further education (students)

Other less commonly mentioned protected characteristics and experiential circumstances, as identified by third sector participants, included migrant populations, men, LGBTI people, prison and care leavers, those with English as a second language, those with complex needs, and those affected by substance use.

While it is important to highlight all of these groups and characteristics as being perceived to be at risk of hidden homelessness, this report will focus mainly on the five groups described above which emerged most strongly from the qualitative research. It is also important to acknowledge the significant overlap between these groups – for example, between young people and students, or between women and those with experience of domestic abuse. Moreover, identities described by participants were also often intersectional (i.e. young people who were also LBGTI, women from minority ethnic communities) which could impact on their lived experiences.

5.2 Young people

Most third sector participants reported that young people are at the greatest risk of hidden homelessness of all age groups. They explained that young people experience homelessness for reasons such as relationship breakdown, overcrowded households, unstable households, household poverty and experiences of abuse and neglect. For example, young people with more complex needs and young people with behavioural issues and/or who are of school age but who may not be attending school were highlighted as being at higher risk of experiencing homelessness. This was attributed to the impact their complex needs might have on their relationships within the household.

Third sector participants most frequently cited sofa surfing as the main form of homelessness experienced by young people. Similarly, the evidence suggest that young people often rely on informal social networks for temporary shelter and may avoid using local authorities' homelessness services (Watts, Johnsen and Sosenko, 2015).

Several third sector participants noted that young people often sofa surf because they are unaware that they are homeless. As a result, they are unaware of the different housing options available to them, which impacts their ability to seek assistance. For example, one third sector participant described:

“young people often find themselves at risk as well, and find themselves in exploitative, harmful situations… they don't consider themselves to be homeless, though, just bouncing about in people's homes.”

These findings support evidence that some young people in these situations may not recognise themselves as homeless due to social perceptions that focus primarily on rough sleeping. One study showed that younger people exhibit fewer visible signs of homelessness than other age groups (Gausvik, 2015). This was to maintain appearances and disguise their housing circumstances, thereby preserving their social standing among peers.

Some third sector participants shared that young people may see their hidden situation as a better alternative to staying in temporary accommodation. They reported that some young people perceive temporary accommodation as dangerous, believing that if they move into it, they will experience violence from other residents. This aligns with existing evidence that young people can perceive physically hidden forms to be safer alternatives to visible homelessness (Watts, Johnsen and Sosenko, 2015).

5.3 Those with experience of domestic abuse

Most third sector participants identified those experiencing domestic abuse as being at risk of hidden homelessness. They explained that people experiencing coercive and emotional abuse may also be unaware of their rights. A few third sector participants noted that financial abuse also made it difficult for people to leave an unsafe environment, especially if they had children. However, one participant with lived experience mentioned that financial abuse and a lack of money to pay rent and provide for her children led her to seek assistance.

Highlighting the way different systems of inequality can intersect, and the role that domestic abuse can play within this, one third sector participant shared:

“The people who are likely to be hidden homeless are those who maybe just have a little bit more of a social network to call upon… a more robust social network, [they] maybe have friends or family who themselves are more privileged economically. We can see that the people who struggle to keep the home … are more likely to be [... people with] protected characteristics or people experiencing domestic violence.”

Several women with lived experience described staying in unsafe environments due to fear about entering the homelessness system. Some of these women, especially those with children, were more likely to move from an unsafe household to another form of hidden homelessness, rather than approach homelessness services. They feared they might encounter violence within temporary accommodation. They also worried about what their children might be exposed to, such as the risk of contact with people affected by substance use.

5.4 Women

Several third sector participants believed that women are at higher risk of experiencing hidden homelessness than men. This included organisations that specifically support women, so these findings may reflect their particular focus. This view was also shared by participants from other types of organisations whose services are not specifically aimed at women.

The literature highlights differences in people's experiences of homelessness based on gender (Reeve, 2018). Women are, for example, more likely than men to experience mental ill health and sexual violence (Sosenko, Bramley and Johnsen, 2020), which in turn impacts on how they may experience homelessness (Agenda, 2021; Sosenko, Bramley and Johnsen, 2020). For instance, women experiencing homelessness may choose to remain physically hidden to protect themselves from threats of sexual or physical violence. Strategies might include sleeping in places hidden from view, occupying public spaces such as toilets, spending time in 24-hour services, or even disguising themselves as men (Reeve, 2018; ONS, 2023).

Several third sector participants and a few of those with lived experience described the reasons why women do seek homelessness assistance. These included domestic abuse, relationship breakdown, exploitation, substance use (by them or their children), and complex needs (mental and physical health). This was often the result of feeling at an escalated risk to themselves and loved ones or not being able to cope anymore. Additionally, women in the sample reported exhausting social networks before seeking local authority homelessness assistance. This delay in seeking support was due to fear of getting loved ones in trouble and of reprisals from approaching statutory services such as social services. However, one third sector participant commented that women were more likely than men to seek help for hidden homelessness as men might find it more difficult to admit when they needed support.

5.5 Minority ethnic groups

Some third sector participants described minority ethnic groups as being particularly susceptible to experiencing hidden homelessness.

Several third sector participants noted that minority ethnic groups were more likely than white households to live in overcrowded or concealed households. They described overcrowded households as a common circumstance for minority ethnic families living in multi-generational households. They highlighted that larger family sizes often led to complex housing needs. This made it difficult to find suitable accommodation, meaning that some people lived in concealed households. Analysis of the Scottish Household Survey combined with Scottish House Condition Survey (SHCS) data from 2016-2019 shows that a significantly higher proportion of households with a minority ethnic highest income householder (HIH) were overcrowded (7%) compared to households with a white Scottish/British HIH (2%) (Scottish Government, 2021b).

Some third sector participants reported that language barriers prevented effective communication and understanding of the available support for homelessness assistance. Additionally, meeting the specific needs of diverse communities posed difficulties, as services were not always culturally competent or responsive to these needs (see section 8.3.1.3 on cultural considerations). These factors combined increase the risk of hidden homelessness in minority ethnic populations. The literature suggests that some people from minority ethnic groups may fear ‘rocking the boat’ by exercising their housing rights. Findings from a UK study suggest this fear can be compounded by complexities of the social housing bidding process which were said to amount to institutional racism for those who face language barriers or unfamiliarity with bureaucratic processes (Fitzpatrick, Watts and McIntyre, 2024). These factors contribute to an environment where staying hidden may be preferable to seeking housing assistance.

Some third sector participants also highlighted immigration status as a factor influencing decisions to remain in unsafe environments. This was particularly emphasised for women and those on spousal visas, who may not be aware of their rights. The literature highlights specific challenges faced by minority ethnic women. For instance, women experiencing isolation, language difficulties and racism are at higher risk of homelessness and may struggle to escape domestic abuse (Fitzpatrick, Watts and McIntyre, 2024).

5.6 Those in higher or further education (students)

Some third sector participants described students as being susceptible to hidden homelessness. Reasons included housing shortages and the affordability of housing in university locations. Third sector participants shared that the students they interacted with were predominantly sofa surfing and living in overcrowded households. There were also occasional reports of students sleeping in tents.

A few third sector participants described how some students had experienced unsafe housing due to abusive partners. One organisation noted that some people remained with abusive partners because of a lack of available accommodation in university cities. Additionally, one third sector participant noted that transgender and non-binary students were less likely to secure a tenancy at the beginning of the academic semester. As a result, they were described as being more susceptible to experiencing hidden homelessness. One third sector participant described the rise of hidden homelessness in cities:

“[There has been] a huge emergence of hidden homelessness in the student population in the main cities… that's folks overcrowding and making use of charitable opportunities to just have shelter overnight… [students can also end] up in exploitative situations simply to have somewhere to stay.”

A few third sector participants also identified other reasons why students experience hidden homelessness, including a lack of awareness of the support available. They also noted that certain circumstances of homelessness had become normalised, leading some students to not perceive themselves as homeless. For instance, one third sector participant highlighted that students at university may view themselves as privileged compared with other members of society and may not recognise their situation as homelessness or understand that they may be eligible for assistance from the local authority.