Read an Emmanuel House beneficiary’s experience of sofa surfing
This is the case for many people who are homeless and staying with friends, in hotels, hostels or other tempoary accommodation. Sofa surfing and this type of homelessness can go unseen and undetected and is often referred to as ‘hidden homelessness’. People who are sofa surfing are rarely included in national statistics on homelessness.
Susan, one of our beneficiaries, was interviewed recently by the BBC. Susan has been living in a spare room in a friend’s house for the last six months.
Here’s a transcript of the conversation she had with Sarah, a radio presenter for the BBC.
Sarah: What’s it been like then, the last six months?
Susan: Really difficult to be honest. I’ve been through some difficult years and to be honest, this year, and late last year, I’ve really turned my life around. I’m due to start a new job, and I’ve got a partner… who’s been [living for] a year and a half now in a hotel. It’s been so difficult because we’re talking about our future and wanting to have children, and we just simply can’t find anywhere.
Sarah: Is it a case of not being able to find anywhere that’s affordable?
Susan: Um, it’s both a case of I’ve only just been offered this job, I’ve not started yet, so even then when I do start, my benefits will stop for a month, I’ll have no income whatsoever. And even then, I’m going to be faced with having to save up for a couple of months because the rents are just so high.
We’re looking for preferably a one-bedroom flat because we want to start a family, but also because we have a little dog and rent-wise we’re looking at anything between £500-600.
Sarah: So, sleeping on someone’s sofa what’s it like? What does it feel like?
Susan: Really difficult, you feel like it’s not your home, you’re always treading on eggshells. You absolutely go to sleep with paranoia, of tomorrow we could fall out with the person. Luckily, in this particular home that I’m in, I’ve got quite a good situation and they had a spare room, which I’ve been able to make my own, but unfortunately, they have severe mental [illness] and we don’t have access to a bath or a shower… Apart from my living room, the state of the flat is appalling.
I applied for a council house back in September, I was told it would be six to eight weeks for a bidding number. I’m still waiting for a bidding number now.”
We’re currently supporting Susan with her new job and wish her all the best for the future.
Our Wellbeing Support Team works people like Susan who are living in temporary accommodation and are struggling with their mental health. Click here to read more about the service.
If you’d like to help support people like Susan, please consider making a donation.
