Simon Community: shock report shows over 110,000 'hidden homeless' in NI
Northern Ireland is suffering a concerning rise in 'hidden homelessness' as living costs spiral, a shock new report claims today (Tuesday).
More than 110,000 people could be affected according to the stark findings in a new report commissioned by the Simon Community in partnership with Ulster University and supported by Nationwide Building Society.
The charity said that 'hidden homelessness' happens where people who become homeless do not show up in official statistics and are not visible.
A spokesman said: "This is a complex issue and because it is not overly visible, many people are slipping through the current system undocumented, indicating that the real hidden homeless figure could be much greater. "
The report, the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, suggest that some groups in society are more vulnerable to becoming part of the hidden homeless population including young people, single people aged over 55, domestic abuse survivors, members of the LGBTQ community and ex-prisoners.
The spokesman added: "They may not present themselves for support for various reasons or be accepted as homeless because the current assessment system in place can only provide accommodation for those who meet specific criteria."
Professor Ann Marie Gray, Professor of Social Policy at Ulster University and Co-Director of ARK led the research and commented: “The research highlights the damaging impacts that hidden homelessness can have on people. Young people are among those who are particularly vulnerable and the earlier that someone experiences hidden homelessness the more likely they are to develop complex needs. Too often, people do not know where to go to for help or find it difficult to navigate the support systems.
"To support those most in need, more could be done to publicise hidden homelessness and to effectively communicate the existing support that is available and how people can access it. However, it is also clear that existing support is insufficient and there are indications that this is a growing problem.”
Jim Dennison, Chief Executive at Simon Community believes that the Ulster University Report is an important first step to finding workable solutions:
“We welcome the findings and recommendations from this new report, updating the current legislation to include ‘hidden homelessness’ will be key for homelessness prevention and to help services anticipate current and future need," he said.
“There is no doubt that we are currently facing a homelessness crisis. The current barriers within the statutory housing system in Northern Ireland mean that some of the most vulnerable people in society cannot access adequate support to secure accommodation. The effects of homelessness can be devastating, and we know that people who face hidden homelessness for longer periods are much more likely to experience a deterioration in mental and physical health."