Worrying rise of ‘hidden homelessness’ in Bristol

Scores of people who are just one step away from being forced onto the streets feel like they are running out of time and options.

This is the stark message from charities as Bristol faces a “perfect storm” of reduced funding, cold weather and decreased night shelter capacity at a time when more households than ever are facing hardship.

It comes as the number of people facing homelessness because they were told to leave the home of family or friends increased by 80 per cent during the first lockdown – with 506 people impacted between March 16 and July 4 this year, up from 281 for the same period in 2019, according to council figures.

Caring in Bristol bosses also say they have seen a big increase in “hidden homelessness” in the city since the start of the pandemic.

“We are incredibly concerned about all those who are nearly homeless this Christmas; those sofa surfing, or staying at friends and family for a short while who are starting to feel like they are running out of options and time,” Sarah Walker, Caring in Bristol operations manager tells Bristol24/7.

She says there has been a particular rise in the number of under 25s in this frightening position and is urging people to seek support early. Bristol Youth Maps can provide support for young people facing homelessness.

The Government’s ‘everyone in’ scheme, launched at the start of the first lockdown in March was hailed a “once in a generation” opportunity to end street homelessness for good and saw hundreds of people supported to move off the streets.

A few months down the line and it’s a different story for Bristol amid warnings the city will struggle to cope with the expected rise in homelessness due to a lack of funding and reduced shelter capacity.

The council is yet to confirm the final figure the city will receive from the Government to tackle rough sleeping, but Helen Godwin, Bristol City Council’s cabinet member for housing, is expecting it to be around a fifth of the amount available in the summer.

“There is a base level of homelessness that we can cope with but this is extra demand and we are not getting the money,” says Helen.

“It’s a perfect storm; reduced funding, cold weather, more people falling into hardship and at risk of being homeless. It leaves us in a really terrible place.

“The other element of hidden homelessness is families living in temporary accommodation who are still in a very precarious situation and often in over-crowded places.”

Helen says the council is still committed to supporting people facing homelessness and urges anyone who is in a precarious position or struggling to cope with a friend or relative staying with them to contact the We Are Bristol helpline.

She adds that anyone facing domestic abuse at home should not hesitate to leave and support is available.

Another big concern is the additional number of people who won’t have any recourse to public funds once Britain leaves the EU on December 31. Under the ‘everyone in’ scheme, even those unable to access public funds could be supported off the streets but this lifeline has now been removed.

The “hidden issue” of temporary workers at risk of homelessness has been revealed in a report by homelessness charity St Mungo’s.

Between June and July 2020, the researchers surveyed people in transient work to find out how Covid-19 has affected their housing security. 59 per cent reported that their housing circumstances changed as a result of Covid-19, with ten per cent forced to sleep rough or sofa surf.

Prior to the pandemic, 78 per cent of those surveyed said they could comfortably pay for their accommodation. This fell to 40 per cent during the period of March 23 – July 4 2020.

David Ingerslev, Bristol regional head at St Mungo’s, says: “It is clear to see the impact that the announcement of lockdown had on people who were temporarily staying with friends and family at the time.

“Our outreach team continue to work on the streets, supporting people who are rough sleeping into suitable accommodation when it becomes available. We are working closely with Bristol City Council and partners to prepare for the cold weather and the emergency life-saving response that is required for people rough sleeping.

“We urge members of the public to use either the Streetlink app or website to let us know if you see someone sleeping rough in Bristol, so that our outreach team can find them and offer support.”

David believes the new Rough Sleeping Prevention and Early Intervention Service will be crucial this winter in offering rapid support for people in Bristol before they start sleeping rough.

Main photo by Joab Smith

Read more: Urgent call to protect rough sleepers from ‘dangerous, cold winter’