Poll reveals 30,000 households in Ireland report themselves as 'hidden homeless'
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A new poll has revealed that 32,000 households are currently affected by 'hidden homelessness'.
Commissioned by the Simon Communities of Ireland and Northern Ireland, the poll has revealed that 24,000 households in the Republic of Ireland — and a further 8,500 households in the North — are currently experiencing the issue of hidden homelessness.
The term 'hidden homeless' refers to those who are considered homeless but are not included in official statistics as they are not on the street and instead are couch surfing or living in cars.
Loss of home from the private rental market was the most common reason for experiencing hidden homelessness.
Surging costs in the private rental market was also noted as a driver of homelessness. Other factors included income loss or reduction, loss of a job, or having left an institution such as a hospital or prison.
More than 80% said they had endured hidden homelessness for six months or longer.
People reported themselves or a close family member having slept in a vehicle, stayed in tents or caravans, slept in a workplace, stayed overnight in a bus station, and squatting.
The poll found that 18- to 34-year-olds are most likely to be affected by the issue, which sees people couch-surfing, staying with friends or sleeping in their car.
Those in Ireland were found to be less likely to contact their local housing authority compared to those in the North.
Simon Communities of Ireland executive director Wayne Stanley said this information is important because it means they can look into the difference between how those experiencing homelessness and local authorities engage with each other and see what can be improved.
"It tells us that there is a cohort of people there who could be accessing supports or that we could be getting supports to and we need to work out how to reach them," said Mr Stanley.