Condemned – the reality of life for young homeless people in Scotland
The focus of our campaign is the challenges facing the young people we support in youth housing projects.
There are four key issues on which this campaign is based:
1. The continuing use of substandard housing for young homeless people
When young people are ready for their own tenancies, many are offered housing in a location, and in a condition, which no one else wants, or will accept. They are frequently treated with disdain and disrespect by housing officials and there is often a perceived threat that they have to accept a tenancy, even if it is clearly unsuitable, or they will be offered nothing else.
The young people we support often come from traumatic backgrounds, including experience in the care system, and face multiple challenges, including mental health issues. They need to have a safe and secure place to call “home”, where they can start their adult life.
No young person should be condemned to live in housing of an unacceptably poor standard or in a location where their safety is compromised.
2. A benefits system that is fundamentally flawed
Many young people are penalised by a benefits system which is hugely complex, which fails to offer adequate support for those who can work, and which seems increasingly concerned with applying sanctions to young people who fall foul of its intricate bureaucracy. Most young people cannot earn enough to pay their rent, particularly if they are in supported accommodation, and therefore have to remain dependent on benefits which lever in housing benefit and other additional financial support.
No young person should be condemned to living in in-work poverty or remaining on benefits.
3. Barriers to moving forward
Young people moving from supported accommodation to individual tenancies have no period of overlap of housing benefit, which means they have to accept and move into a tenancy immediately, without furniture, carpets or domestic appliances. If a young person accepts a tenancy, but cannot move in immediately, they then accumulate rent arrears, before they even move to their new home.
There are also huge inconsistencies across Scotland in the availability of support for young homeless people to furnish tenancies, with some young people able to access furniture packs, which provide the basics. Others are reliant on Community Care grants or other loans/grants to purchase furniture but there can be lengthy delays in decision-making and payment of grants.
No young person should be condemned to move into an empty house or face the prospect of years of paying off rent arrears.
4. Rural housing for young people
Young people in rural areas face a substantial shortage of affordable housing, with a lack of social rented housing exacerbated by the prevalence of second or holiday homes. Many young people in rural areas successfully undertake and complete a housing support programme which enables them to sustain and maintain an independent tenancy, only to be unable to access a suitable house. They then have to either remain in supported housing long after it is necessary or to re-enter the homelessness system, often using B & B accommodation.
No young person should have to endure the vicious cycle of repeat homelessness because of a lack of affordable rural housing.
Read the brochure.
Watch the film on YouTube
For further information contact:
Nic White 0141 333 0557 or 07770 886908
email: nwhite@webershandwick.com
