Plymouth Business School & Citizen’s Advice: Uncovering the Human Cost of Hidden Homelessness Report Launch

Plymouth Business School and Citizens Advice invite you to the launch of the research report:

‘I feel like a blot on a computer screen’ – Uncovering the human cost of Hidden Homelessness in Plymouth, the South Hams and Cornwall

The launch event is for all individuals and organisations interested in the nature and impact of Hidden Homelessness on people in Plymouth, Cornwall and Devon.

The launch will reveal the results of detailed research conducted over the summer examining the meaning, current situation and impact on individuals in the South Hams, Plymouth and Cornwall of Hidden Homelessness. Data from individuals struggling with Hidden Homelessness, the viewpoint of several organisations dealing with the consequences and secondary data sources, are combined with selected brief case studies to demonstrate the real impact of Hidden Homelessness on people’s lives.

The report was commissioned by Citizens Advice who has recently seen a significant increase in the number of people who are trapped in unsuitable accommodation, and consequently unable to afford to move out and on with their lives. These individuals find themselves ‘sofa surfing’, habituating ‘beds in sheds’, living in cars/vans, three generations of a family having no option but to live in the same accommodation, in unsuitable temporary accommodation or having to move to other parts of the country to find suitable accommodation.

The research was conducted jointly by Plymouth Business School researchers and Citizens Advice case workers as part of the University’s Get Involved Awards.

The launch event will include:

• the report findings;
• recommendations to improve the situation;
• an opportunity for question and answers;
• refreshments and an opportunity to network.

The event also provides an opportunity to discuss the possibilities of forming a partnership campaign group, to lobby for a sustainable solution to the Hidden Homeless crisis in Plymouth, South Hams and Cornwall.