Homelessness and young people

1. The preparation of homeless young people for independent living and their experiences when rehoused Maureen Crane, Tony Warnesand Sarah CowardUniversity of Sheffield Jennifer Monfort, CentrepointCentre for the Study of Childhood and Youth, International Conference 2010, University of Sheffield

2. Homelessness and young people Estimated 75,000 young people (aged 16-24 years) homeless in UK at some time during 2006-07.1 Homeless young people are very disadvantaged ~ Without stable housing and support networks ~ High prevalence of personal problems ~ Support needs often not met by mainstream services Important to encourage and support their move to independent living and self-support so that they are not led into harmful behaviours and lifelong homelessness, but not an easy pathway. 1. Quilgars D., Johnsen S. and Pleace N. 2008. Youth Homelessness in the UK: A Decade of Progress? Centrepoint, London.

3. Aims of the presentation To describe and evaluate the help that homeless young people aged 17-21 years receive from homelessness organisations to live independently, their experiences of the transition to independent-living, and the support that they receive once rehoused. Draws on information from: The FOR-HOME study of the resettlement of homeless people. Centrepoint’s work in preparing homeless young people for independent living.

4. Topics The FOR-HOME study, and the backgrounds and problems of the young homeless respondents Centrepoint and its work in preparing service-users for independent-living Young homeless people’s experiences of resettlement and support received: findings from the FOR-HOME study Overview of findings, conclusions and recommendations

5. The FOR-HOME study and young people in the sample

6. FOR-HOME study: aims and methods To provide robust, longitudinal information about: (a) the experiences of homeless people who are resettled (b) the factors that influence the outcomes. • Sample of 400 single homeless people in two clusters: London, and Nottinghamshire / Yorkshire resettled into permanent accommodation by six homelessness sector organisations. • Semi-structured interviews immediately before being resettled, and after 6 and 18 months. Interviews from June 2007 to November 2009. Key-worker completed questionnaire at baseline.

7. Young people in the sample • 73 respondents aged 17-21 years interviewed at baseline; 67 at 6 months; and 56 at 18 months. • 47% men and 53% women. • 38% aged 17-18 when resettled, and 62% aged 19-21. • 56% of men and 36% of women White British. 19% born outside UK. • 36% left school before aged 16 (mostly males), many following problematic behaviour and expulsion. • 63% have GCSEs or equivalent (only 53% of the men). • Most became homeless following conflicts with parents, step-parents or relatives.

8. Self-reported problems

9. Experience of independent living 77% of men and 97% of women had never previously lived alone. Most said that they had experience of cooking for themselves and of keeping a home clean. Around one-half of the men but fewer women had experience of basic home maintenance, e.g. decorating. Only 23% of men and 26% of women had ‘a lot’ of experience of paying utility bills. 47% of men and 56% of women had never paid these bills before.

10. Centrepoint and its work

11. Preparing young people for resettlement • Many young people that Centrepoint supports have a range of complex needs • Support and Development approach - holistic support package addressing all areas of a young person’s life e.g. health, learning • Crucial to address wider needs if young people are to successfully live independently. • Work with young people throughout their time at Centrepoint to build independent living skills • Importance of trusted adult figure to advise and build confidence • Lifewise - basic skills courses through which young people can gain AQA accredited qualifications, including: • living on a budget • introduction to bill payment • introduction to the private rented sector

12. Move onoptions • Social housing has been the most common move-on accommodation but is becoming increasingly difficult to access, especially in London • Private rented sector poses a number of challenges: • Most under 25s are only entitled to single room rate of housing benefit – difficult to find decent quality properties at this rate • Direct payment to tenant – increased chance of arrears • High rents act as barrier to work • But private rented sector is likely to play an increasing role in resettlement, so Centrepoint strives to make this option work

13. Resettlement services • Rent deposit guarantee scheme • Specialist worker helps find affordable tenancies • Guides and supports them through process, e.g. the tenancy agreement, setting up utility services • Scheme pays for the deposit and first month’s rent • Tenancy support • Offers informal support for 6 months after leaving services • However there is not sufficient funding for proactive and intensive support for all young people • Formal tenancy support services are provided by local authorities in some areas, but access is limited and often restricted to certain groups e.g. care leavers

14. The transition to independent-living: the FOR-HOME study

15. Managing a home • 63% moved to local authority housing; 29% to housing association tenancies; 8% to private-rented accommodation (10% in London). • 81% were glad to have moved to their own accommodation. • Many without essentials at time of moving – 63% no bed, 75% no cooker, and 65% no carpets or floor covering. • By 18 months, most had a bed and cooker, but 18% still without floor covering. • After moving, most coped well with basic household tasks. Only a minority (5%) reported problems with cooking or laundry at 18 months – mainly due to lack of equipment.

16. Participating in education, training, work Once resettled, many were keen to get a job or study or be involved in a work-training programme. At the time of moving, 23% had full- or part-time jobs. At 18 months, 29% had jobs. Many others were looking for work but finding it hard. Great deal of movement in and out of work – 62% had worked at some time since being rehoused. Many jobs were casual or through an agency, insecure, and low paid. At 18 months, 10% were attending an education course and 10% a vocational course. 14% were studying and had part-time jobs to help with the expenses.

17. Managing finances At 18 months: • Most reliant on social security benefits and had low incomes. • Median weekly income was £51 for men and £80 for women. Higher income among women because more were working. • Managing finances was major problem – 50% had ‘frequent’ and 24% ‘occasional’ difficulties. Associated with low income, high utility costs, buying things for their home, and paying debts. • Men were more likely than women to report financial difficulties – 82% of men and 67% of women had problems.

18. Rent arrears and other debts

19. Level of debts

20. Reasons for rent arrears and debts 38% had outstanding debts at the time of being resettled. Once in settled accommodation, other debts caught up with them. Most had no basic furniture or household equipment at time of moving. Average Community Care grant received was £372 – several took out loans to equip their home. Starting / stopping work had financial implications. When in work, had to pay all / part of their rent and council tax. When stopped work, took time for social security benefits to be reinstated. 18% got into rent arrears when stopped work. Entering education also had financial implications. No longer entitled to social security benefits and so had to take out a student loan. Also had to pay all their rent as no longer eligible for Housing Benefit.

21. Support once rehoused and housing outcomes

22. Formal housing-related support • Just 28% received help from a tenancy support worker after moving (compared to 55% of respondents aged 22+). • 24% returned to their former hostel for help when having difficulties. • 7% received support from a social worker (mainly former care-leavers), and 7% from a college or jobs’ training adviser. • 39% received no support from formal housing or welfare services after moving. • Many did not seek help when having difficulties, or waited until they had substantial debts and their tenancies were at risk.

23. Support from family and relatives • 44% of men and 69% of women saw a family member or relative at least once a week. Some previously in care remained in touch with their foster family. • Some said their relationship with their parents improved after being resettled; others that it had become more strained. Relationships often ‘fragile’. • Their relatives tended to provide emotional support, encouragement and practical help, e.g. with laundry, meals or decorating. • Very few received substantial financial help from relatives – if at all, mainly small amounts, irregularly and in an emergency. Said their relatives were not in a position to help them financially.

24. Housing outcomes

25. Housing outcomes by tenure

26. Overview, conclusions and recommendations

27. Overview FOR-HOME findings and Centrepoint’s experience concur that: • Homelessness among young people is rarely experienced in isolation, but often associated with a range of problems. • When they are helped to get over or control the problems that led them into homelessness, and prepared for independent-living: • The majority succeed in maintaining their tenancy despite very low incomes and (in many cases) limited or fragile family support. • But many experience financial problems and accrue debts over time. • Once the young homeless person ceases to be a client of a specialist homeless organisation, many have no obvious agency to which they can turn for advice and help.

28. Preparing for independent living • Homelessness services can help prepare young people for some aspects of independent living, e.g. cooking and cleaning. • But many young homeless people come unstuck because their support needs do not easily fit into mainstream services and they lack stable support networks. • Priority should therefore be making services more flexible and tailored to individual needs: • providing additional and flexible support for young people with higher support needs • removing structural barriers to them engaging with existing services

29. Providing personalised and flexible services • It is important that funding mechanisms do not prevent young people from accessing the package of support that is right for them: • e.g. College Without Walls will provide learning provision designed around the needs of the individual young person • Joined up working - young people need to be able to access easily a range of different services after moving on from homelessness services: • Closer links between housing, health and social services • Easier access to mental support – 50% of young people at Centrepoint access help from in-house mental health team • Proactive targeting of those who are vulnerable but do not ask for help

30. Overcoming financial restrictions for young people • The most serious problems faced by formerly homeless young people are financial difficulties, particularly if moving into work or full-time education: lack of awareness of their entitlements and ineligibility for some benefits. • Structural barriers in Government policy include: • Work disincentives - The HB taper should be reduced to ease the transition into work, or the earnings disregard raised. • Limited financial support for young people in education - Young people should be able to access income support until the age of 25 if in full-time education (currently only eligible up to 20). • Single room rent - Centrepoint believes that homeless young people should be exempt. • Direct payments - Young people should be able to choose for their rent to be paid to their landlord.

31. To conclude … • Government and support services both have a role to play in making sure that services take account of the needs of vulnerable individuals who do not fit into mainstream services. • Voluntary sector homelessness organisations have limited capacity to provide tenancy support, but young people should be able to access this at any point after resettlement. • Providing personalised, flexible and proactive services will give homeless young people the best chance of building a new future for themselves.

32. Contact details Tony Warnes: a.warnes@sheffield.ac.uk Maureen Crane: m.a.crane@sheffield.ac.uk Sarah Coward: s.e.coward@sheffield.ac.uk www.shef.ac.uk/sisa/research/fields/homeless Jennifer Monfort: j.monfort@centrepoint.org www.centrepoint.org.uk