Since 2013 Justlife has been talking with the hidden homeless, to find out what life is really like for them. These people are single homeless residents living in unsupported temporary accommodation, (B&Bs, private hostels and HMOs).
The number of people living in this accommodation type is not recorded in official statistics, but is estimated to be worryingly high. The number of statutory homeless households placed in B&Bs stood at 4,700 in Q3 of 2014. The actual figure living in unsupported temporary accommodation is likely to be at least five to ten times more than this.(1)
Using summaries, pictures and real voices this short documenttakes a look at the findings from group conversations with the hidden homeless in South East and North West England. These discussions are a small part of a three year research project, funded by LankellyChase, investigating the long term impact on health and wellbeing of single homeless households living in unsupported temporary accommodation.
Issues identified and raised include: conditions, management practices, isolation, low expectations and rights. Here is a preview of what we found about conditions:
We also asked the tenants of unsupported temporary accommodation to lend their experience and expertise and give advice to others living in or moving into accommodation of this type. Read the top three pieces of advice in this document.
We would like to thank Homeless Link for their support and guidance with this element of the project.
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1. For further information, see page 4 of Rose A and Davies B (2014) Not home: The lives of hidden homeless households in unsupported temporary accommodation in England, IPPR North.
