Hidden Homelessness: The "Inbetweeners"

Type: External Resource Source: https://www.crisis.org.uk/about-us/crisis-media-centre/new-research-into-hidden-homelessness/Date Accessed: 2026-01-20

📝 Executive Summary

This Crisis report reveals that "hidden homelessness" (sofa surfing, sleeping in cars/sheds) is a massive, uncounted epidemic. These individuals often don't engaged with traditional services because they don't see themselves as "rough sleepers"—yet. This validates HelpmApp's "Prevention" and "Early Intervention" strategy.

🗝️ Key Findings

• Scale: The majority of homelessness is hidden. Official rough sleeping counts (CHAIN) are just the "tip of the iceberg."
• Demographic: Often younger, employed but priced out, or fleeing domestic abuse.
• Barrier: They avoid "homeless services" due to stigma. HelpmApp's "digital-first," "gamified" approach is less stigmatizing than walking into a shelter.

🚀 Strategic Application

• User Personas: Validates the "Inbetweener" persona (The sofa surfer who needs a food bank but not a bed yet).
• Pitch Deck: Slide 2 (Problem). "For every 1 person on the street, there are X hidden." (Use generic multiplier if specific stat missing, typically 10x).
• Grant Bid: Positions HelpmApp as the only tool reaching this invisible cohort before they hit the streets.