Hidden Homelessness

When most people think of homelessness they think of someone sleeping on the streets. However, hidden homelessness is rife in London. The vast majority of homeless people exist out of sight in temporary accommodation. 

This can include:

• Hostels
• Temporary accommodation such as B&Bs
• Sofa-surfing (moving between friends’ houses)
• Squatting
• Living in conditions of severe overcrowding

People end up in temporary accommodation because they have no other option, and it can lead to further problems. For example, how can you hold down a job if you don’t know where you will be staying from day to day, or if you can't sleep because of overcrowding or feeling unsafe? The uncertainty, instability, and lack of safety can put a tremendous strain on a person's health and relationships, and their ability to continue with the routines of every day life.

A report by Shelter estimated that on any given night in 2023, more than 309,000 people in England were homeless (mostly people living in temporary accommodation arranged by their council).

More than half of these people (167,000) were in London, with 1 in 51 people homeless in the capital.

The ten local authorities with the highest concentrations of homelessness in England (people living in temporary accommodation or rough sleeping) are all in London. Newham has the highest rate with 1 in 20 people homeless.