The Simon Communities of Ireland and Simon Community Northern Ireland have estimated that more than 30,000 households across the island of Ireland are experiencing hidden homelessness.
Hidden homelessness is a term used to describe those who may be considered homeless, but whose housing situation is not visible on the streets because they tend to sleep in cars, 'sofa surf', or are squatting in offices.
It can also be the case that these individuals have not contacted their local housing authority for help and, therefore, this goes unrecorded in official statistics.
'Under the Radar: Unveiling Hidden Homelessness Across the Island of Ireland' contains the findings of a poll which was carried out by Ireland Thinks and Lucid Talks with sample sizes of 1,762 in the Republic of Ireland and 1,050 in Northern Ireland.
It shows 3.8% of people in the Republic of Ireland and 3.3% in Northern Ireland have no alternative but to live in a variety of situations.
Of those percentages, 83% in the South and 77% in the North are enduring hidden homelessness for six months or more.
The report says that the homelessness crisis in both jurisdictions has deepened due to the absence of an appropriate level of supply of secure affordable homes.
It says four-in-ten of those experiencing hidden homelessness cited the loss of a home from the private rental market as the most common reason for their predicament.
It is far more likely, according to the report, that this will occur in the Republic of Ireland due to the selling of the property by the landlord rather than the affordability of rent.
However, surging costs appear to be making the private rental market increasingly inaccessible to those on lower incomes and is seen as a driver of homelessness.
The data also indicates that younger people (18 to 34 year olds) are more likely to experience hidden homelessness as well as those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. This is more pronounced in the Republic of Ireland.
30,000 households are 'hidden homeless' across island
The Simon Communities of Ireland and Simon Community Northern Ireland have estimated that more than 30,000 households across the island of Ireland are experiencing hidden homelessness.
