Understanding people’s experiences of hidden homelessness in Gloucestershire
Download (PDF 4.54 MB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Gloucestershire conducted research to explore people’s experiences of hidden homelessness in Gloucestershire, focusing on individuals whose housing situations may not meet the formal definitions of homelessness but who face significant instability and insecurity.
Data were collected via survey and interview. Eleven people completed a semi-structured interview, approximately 30 people provided data via unstructured, informal interviews, and 5 people completed a survey. Data collection occurred during a 16-week period from August to December 2024. Feedback from 17 people, representing 11 organisations and caseworkers dealing with hidden homelessness, was collected via survey.
Key themes in the data included: mental, physical & social health impacts (e.g. worsening of existing conditions, trauma, deprioritising health, and social stigma); service and support accessibility (e.g. lack of services in rural communities, difficulties obtaining medical evidence to support housing and benefits claims, and lack of pet friendly appointments); joined up care (e.g. lack of advocacy support, difficulties transitioning between services); and systemic issues (e.g. inappropriate terminology, short times for refugees to find accommodation, issues with domestic abuse services).
The report also uncovered a wide range of situations that led to hidden homelessness. It also includes findings on the experience of hidden homelessness within marginalised groups (i.e. neurodiverse people, people with mental health issues, women, refugees and asylum seekers, veterans, LGBTQI+ community & younger people).
The report includes 17 recommendations.