Housing insecurity and hidden homelessness: research

6 Routes into homelessness for those experiencing hidden homelessness in Scotland

6.1 Introduction

Returning to the themes highlighted from the literature in chapter three, this chapter presents research findings on the routes into homelessness, as identified by third sector participants and participants with lived experience of hidden homelessness. In turn, it discusses the structural, interpersonal and individual factors that contribute to people becoming homeless.

The findings highlight that routes into homelessness are influenced by structural factors, weak social networks and challenging family dynamics, poor health and wellbeing, as well as abuse and exploitation. The drivers of hidden homelessness identified through this research align with those documented in the broader international literature on visible homelessness (Busch-Geertsema and Fitzpatrick, 2008).^[13]

However, these experiences are not mutually exclusive and a person’s route into homelessness can be influenced by more than one of the factors identified in this chapter, alongside the barriers described in chapter 8.

6.2 Structural factors

Poverty is the major driver of all forms of homelessness (Bramley and Fitzpatrick, 2018). Throughout this research, several third sector participants argued that housing affordability, loss of income, reduced access to benefits, and the cost-of-living crisis have put people at higher risk of homelessness.

One organisation highlighted that the loss of benefits when a child becomes an adult was a significant factor contributing to poverty, and that this can lead to homelessness. Young adults who are unemployed cannot contribute to household bills, creating financial strain for their families. Additionally, if the young adult works more than 16 hours per week, there are reductions to housing benefits. This combination of factors makes it financially unviable for some families to support the young adult, leading to hidden homelessness as they might be forced to leave the household and seek less stable living arrangements.

The cost-of-living crisis has also impacted the ability of people to manage their finances and household bills. Rising energy costs and relationship breakdowns make it difficult for some households to afford essentials. Some third sector participants noted that increasing private rents have forced people to explore alternative, hidden living situations.

6.3 Interpersonal factors

This research has shown that the breakdown of relationships, social networks and challenging family dynamics place people at higher risk of experiencing homelessness. For example, the breakdown of romantic or parental relationships results in the loss of shared living space, leaving people without stable accommodation.

Most third sector participants explained that financial pressures can lead to homelessness if people are unable to contribute to the household, causing tensions and breakdowns. Family members' disapproval of sexuality or gender transition was also described as a factor for LGBTI people.

Where there is a perceived risk to loved ones, several third sector participants described how the risk to loved ones may lead people to experience hidden homelessness. For example, people (most often women with children) who had been living in an unsafe household, may choose to stay with family in overcrowded or concealed households. Whilst unsuitable, they felt safe living among their network, and this reduced their motivation to approach the local authority for homelessness assistance.

Furthermore, some third sector participants recognised that some groups may have less of a network or have challenging family dynamics. They shared that some prison and care leavers, without established networks, may not be able to return to their previous accommodation as they transition out of state forms of residence and may find themselves experiencing homelessness.

When examining people’s routes into homelessness, abuse and exploitation are particularly pervasive features. Indeed, several third sector participants and people with lived experience described how abuse and exploitation can contribute to homelessness. Additionally, third sector participants cited human trafficking, sex for rent, and cuckooing as factors contributing to homelessness. For example, people experiencing domestic abuse within a relationship often stay in an unsafe household until the situation reaches a crisis point. One participant with children described their experience of domestic abuse, highlighting the severe impact it had on their housing stability and the eventual necessity to leave the unsafe environment. This example demonstrates how abuse and exploitation can force individuals and families into homelessness as they seek safety and stability:

“I was in an abusive relationship where he was – amongst many things – financially abusive. He would take money out of the account and leave no money in the account to pay rent or to actually buy things. And so, obviously, the rent didn’t get paid for a little while. So, that’s kind of how it happened, and it’s obviously gone too far to try and stay in that property.”

6.4 Individual factors

Third sector participants and people with lived experience highlighted that physical and mental health challenges increased the risk of homelessness. Additionally, third sector participants noted that the stressors associated with unstable living conditions often exacerbated existing health issues or contributed to new mental health challenges. This can create a cyclical relationship between health and housing instability. Participants with lived experience also described being unable to cope with the combined pressure of their housing situation and health challenges.

One participant with lived experience described how their sexuality, mental health, and substance abuse contributed to a relationship breakdown with their parents. As a result, they moved into sofa surfing and stayed in unsuitable accommodation. This example illustrates the interplay between health and homelessness, where personal struggles can lead to instability and further health deterioration:

“My parents are pretty well-meaning and good and so that relationship breakdown was probably more to do with my mental health. It wasn’t like, particularly acrimonious. It was more sort of just wasn’t working, and I wasn’t dealing with things properly or coping.”

6.5 Complex interplay between drivers at different levels

Findings from this research echo existing evidence that the complex interplay between structural, interpersonal and individual factors contribute to homelessness but also, as is explored later in chapter eight, to hidden homelessness more specifically. A few third sector participants described how insufficient follow-on support for prison or care leavers could impact on a person’s ability to develop the essential skills and tools needed to navigate life independently outside of these systems. For example, one interviewee from a third sector organisation described how care leavers are:

"coming through the system and [are] becoming homeless because we know that the State isn’t a good parent and, as such, it is very difficult to properly support young people and [they are] growing up without that sort of parental support."