A Hertfordshire-based charity has launched a campaign to tackle the most common form of hidden homelessness.

Herts Young Homeless is aiming to raise awareness of sofa surfing – an issue many of the people it has worked with have experienced directly.

Sofa surfing is a term used to describe anyone who has made short-term arrangements to stay somewhere, often with friends or extended family, although sometimes they may not know their hosts well.

HYH commissioned a short film to highlight the issues which can be watched here.

Watford Observer: Unaffordable housing to rent and family breakdown are the lead causes of sofa surfingUnaffordable housing to rent and family breakdown are the lead causes of sofa surfing

According to HYH 23 per cent of the 18 to 24-year-olds referred to its services were sofa surfing at the point of referral.

In this age group, family breakdown and the lack of affordable housing to rent were the key reasons given.

HYH also revealed that 32 per cent of young people it works with through its hub service for 16 to 17-year-olds were not in the family homes at the time – with the majority sofa surfing due to family breakdown.

The charity wants young people to understand the risks they face and highlight available help.

Watford Observer: Sofa surfers will sometimes stay with hosts they do not know wellSofa surfers will sometimes stay with hosts they do not know well

For more information and statistics visit their website here. 

To get involved in virtual fundraising for the charity click here.