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Types of Homelessness

Understanding the different ways people experience homelessness

Homelessness is Not One Size Fits All

Homelessness exists on a spectrum, with different people experiencing very different situations. Understanding these types helps us provide better support and recognize that homelessness affects many more people than we might think.

While rough sleeping is the most visible form, it actually represents only a small fraction of all homelessness. Many people experience what's known as "hidden homelessness" - situations where they lack stable, secure accommodation but aren't visible on the streets.

🛏️

Rough Sleeping

Sleeping in the open air or in places not designed for human habitation.

Examples:

  • • Parks, benches, and public spaces
  • • Doorways, stairwells, and car parks
  • • Abandoned buildings and derelict properties
  • • Cars, vans, and other vehicles
Impact: Highest risk of harm, exposure to weather, health complications, and social isolation.
🏨

Temporary Accommodation

Staying in short-term housing with no security or long-term stability.

Examples:

  • • Night shelters and emergency hostels
  • • Bed and breakfast accommodation
  • • Temporary council housing
  • • Refuges and crisis accommodation
Impact: Lack of stability, frequent moves, difficulty maintaining employment or education.
🛋️

Sofa Surfing

Moving between friends' and relatives' homes with no permanent place to stay.

Examples:

  • • Staying on friends' sofas or spare rooms
  • • Moving between different family members
  • • Temporary stays with acquaintances
  • • Living in overcrowded conditions with others
Impact: Constant uncertainty, strain on relationships, lack of privacy and stability.
🏠

Inadequate Housing

Living in accommodation that is unsafe, unsuitable, or severely overcrowded.

Examples:

  • • Severely overcrowded properties
  • • Homes with serious disrepair or hazards
  • • Temporary structures or mobile homes
  • • Housing with inadequate facilities
Impact: Health and safety risks, psychological stress, potential for eviction.

Hidden Homelessness: The Invisible Crisis

🔍 Who Experiences Hidden Homelessness?

  • • Young people who've left home or care
  • • Women fleeing domestic abuse
  • • Families in temporary accommodation
  • • People in severely overcrowded homes
  • • Those living in non-residential properties

📊 The Scale of the Problem

10-20x

More people experience hidden homelessness than rough sleeping

60%

of homeless applications are from people in hidden homelessness situations

380,000+

people experience hidden homelessness annually in the UK

Statutory Homelessness

Statutory homelessness refers to households that local authorities have a legal duty to help under the Housing Act 1996. To be considered statutorily homeless, a household must:

✅ Eligibility Criteria

  • Be eligible for public funds (typically UK citizens or those with settled status)
  • Be unintentionally homeless (didn't choose to leave accommodation)
  • Be in priority need (vulnerable groups)
  • Have a local connection to the area
  • Not have become homeless intentionally

🎯 Priority Need Groups

  • • Pregnant women and households with dependent children
  • • People made homeless by emergency (fire, flood)
  • • People aged 16-17 or 18-20 care leavers
  • • People vulnerable due to age, illness, disability, or other reasons
  • • People fleeing domestic abuse or violence

Duration of Homelessness

🏃

Transitional

Brief episodes, often resolved quickly with support

Typically: Less than 6 months

🔄

Episodic

Multiple periods of homelessness with housing in between

Pattern: Multiple episodes over years

⏳

Chronic

Long-term homelessness, often with complex needs

Typically: 12+ months continuously

Homelessness in Peterborough

Peterborough faces unique challenges with homelessness, including:

🏙️ Urban Challenges

City center homelessness, including rough sleeping around the Cathedral and River Nene area

🌾 Rural Hidden Homelessness

Less visible homelessness in surrounding villages and rural areas

🏗️ Housing Pressure

Growing population and housing development pressures affecting affordability

👥 Community Response

Strong voluntary sector including soup kitchens, night shelters, and outreach services

Understanding Leads to Action

Now that you understand the types of homelessness, learn how you can help

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