Latest News More often than you'd think: Hidden homelessness in Cornwall Homelessness is often associated with the common stereotype of people sleeping on the streets. However, the spectrum of experiences is far wider than what meets the eye- hidden homelessness is happening in our communities. What does ‘hidden homelessness’ mean? There is no set definition of ‘hidden homelessness’, but it could include any person whose homelessness is not visible to their community, and/or to local services. This includes people who are sofa surfing, sleeping in vehicles, in insecure or unsuitable accommodation and/or sleeping outside but hidden from view. In 2024, we engaged with 1,402 people across our services in Cornwall. This figure does not count all people who may be experiencing hidden homeless, who are not engaging with our services, so the number of people experiencing homelessness in Cornwall is likely to be much higher. What does ‘hidden homelessness’ look like? Sofa surfing The most well-known type of hidden homelessness is sofa-surfing – when someone stays on a friend or relative’s sofa or floor because they have nowhere to go. In 2024, 145 people were sofa-surfing in Cornwall before approaching our services. This is 10% of the total number of people that we supported last year. Often, sofa-surfing is seen as a temporary option, and can involve staying in multiple people’s homes over a period of time. However, it can often be difficult to leave the situation for good. According to Crisis, the average period for those currently sofa surfing was between six months and a year.1 The effects of sofa-surfing Mental health A negative impact on a person's mental health. The arrangement is often informal and therefore insecure, meaning that someone could lose their place in the home at any point. Safety Poor living conditions, abuse and exploitation, health impacts and a risk to personal safety.2 People sofa surfing can find themselves in vulnerable and high-pressure situations which can leave them exposed to mistreatment and living in unsuitable conditions. Relationships Negative impact on relationships, as people can feel as though they are a ‘burden’ to friends and family, and with multiple people occupying one space, there can be discontent with financial and living situations. [The hardest thing was...] not having anywhere to call my own, not having my own space, not being able to do what I want, walking on eggshells around people, feeling like a burden to everyone and the money situation is very difficult as well. -St Petrocs Client Sleeping in vehicles In 2024, we supported 74 people who were sleeping in their vehicle without amenities. Sleeping in a car, van or even a boat can be a last resort for many people, and although uncomfortable it provides some protection against the elements and dangers of sleeping outside.3 Sleeping in a vehicle can be fraught with uncertainties and dangers, people are at risk of damaging effects to: Physical health Physical health can worsen due to sleeping in cramped, uncomfortable and cold/hot conditions without ventilation. People can be at risk of increased pain and hypothermia. Mental health and stress Sleeping in a vehicle can be incredibly stressful, with restrictions on parking and overnight camping, people can spend the night in fear of being moved on or fined when in crisis. Unsuitable living conditions Bringing pets and all worldly belongings in one space can be extremely challenging - and can create fire and health risks to the person and pet. Questions someone might need to consider when sleeping in a car: Where will I park each night? Where can I use the toilet and shower? How will I cook and what will I eat? How do I stay warm and keep myself clean? What do I do about parking tickets if I'm fleeing an abusive home? One of our clients, who found himself sofa-surfing after his seasonal job with accommodation came to an end, shared: “I thought, right, I’m staying in my car. Then, I was in the car park and someone said that it’s getting cold, it was when there was a real cold snap... I was in my car about 10 days... I got talking to a lad who was a fireman who said I could use the shower at the fire station... Then there was a lady who did my washing for me, it was unbelievable, but they put themselves out for me." -St Petrocs Client Living in hotels Living in hotels and short-term lets can be a short-term solution to the experience of homelessness, but can be financially draining to maintain this long-term and to manage a healthy diet without access to cooking facilities. In 2024, 28 people came to us from B&Bs, hotels or Airbnbs. People reported that although it meant they were protected from the harsh realities of sleeping outside, that paying for this type of accommodation had exhausted them of their final funds. After staying in hotels to avoid sleeping outside, Clive had run out of money and people to call, until he found our Breadline Centre in Penzance. "I’d run out of people to call... I was in the car park by the railway station, freezing cold, I’d run out of money and I just wanted to end it... I hadn’t washed for a week, my hair was all matted, I even had a beard- even though I’ve been staying in hotels and washing and stuff, I’d been wearing the same clothes for a week. I didn’t like it.” -St Petrocs Client Rural homelessness- hidden from view A person sleeping rough may also be seen to be experiencing hidden homelessness if hidden from services and view in rural areas. Rural homelessness is relatively common for our clients, because Cornwall has large rural areas with few urban centres where people can receive support. In December 2023, Cornwall was named as one of the 7 worst affected rural local authorities for people sleeping rough.4 In 2024, 697 of people who accessed our services were sleeping rough. Many of our clients sleep in the woods, fields and graveyards out of sight, in order to stay safe. For people who are in even more rural locations, they may take shelter in farm out buildings, on the coast path and in difficult to reach areas. Rural homelessness is a challenge as members of our Outreach team are unable to support people unless they themselves reach out to our services and share their location. Due to the rural challenges, it can be even more difficult for them to access support and advice, as well as helpful facilities such as foodbanks, toilets and shops to survive. If women are forced to sleep rough, they will often hide and conceal their situation to feel safer. One of our clients, a young woman fleeing an abusive situation, slept in the climbing structure of a park, where no one could see her. “I stayed in the park, in the big apparatus that they have blocked off both sides, so I could see everybody else but they couldn’t see me which is why I felt a little bit safer out there... I didn’t actually sleep, I stayed up because I was too scared.” -St Petrocs Client Conclusion Although someone may have a roof over their head, it is important to remember that the insecurity and anxiety that comes with hidden homelessness cannot be overstated. Hidden homelessness can negatively impact someone’s mental health, physical health, relationships and financial situations. Often, people don’t realise that they are experiencing homelessness because they have a place to stay inside. This means that people often won’t get in touch with us until it is too late, and when they are at crisis point - resulting in them being forced to sleep outside. That’s why preventing homelessness is one of the four key areas of our work in our ambition to end homelessness, and we hope to raise awareness so that people can contact us before they reach crisis point. If you, or someone you know is at risk of or currently experiencing an unstable living situation which may lead to hidden homelessness, please get in touch with our advice line - 01872 264153. Our supportive team will be able to share advice and guidance and help prevent this experience where possible. 1/2.Crisis, "It was like a nightmare: The reality of sofa surfing in Britain today", (2019). Access here: https://www.crisis.org.uk/media/241555/it_was_like_a_nightmare_the_reality_of_sofa_surfing_in_britain_today_2019.pdf 3. Not including caravan data 4 CPRE, website (2023), access here https://www.cpre.org.uk/news/rough-sleeping-in-countryside-higher-than-some-urban-areas-analysis-shows/ Manage Cookie Preferences