For young people facing life on the street or spent moving from sofa to sofa, a place in supported accommodation is a valuable lifeline and chance to get themselves back on track, however for many, this move can end in frustration as growing housing pressures leave them trapped and unable to return to independent living.
Research published today by YMCA England, found that over 4 in 5 (81%) of supported accommodation residents surveyed confessed to worrying about being able to find somewhere to live when they are ready to move on. With over half (56%) of residents feeling ready to move on but unable to do so, and one in five (20%) left waiting for over six months.
Reasons for these delays include a lack of suitable low-cost housing, landlord decisions which prevent those on benefits or low income from taking on a property, high costs of rent and living, coupled with the fact that less than a third (30%) are able to save any money for a deposit.
Being unable to move on from supported accommodation not only significantly delays an individual’s development and move to independence, with resulting costs for the Government and the public, it also means longer waiting lists and delays for newly homeless people in desperate need of roof over their head.
Chloe, 19, from Clitheroe, found herself homeless at the age of 18 following a breakdown in the relationship with her mum. After living at YMCA for eight months, she gained the confidence to look for work and took on a local role as a carer.
Having found employment, Chloe’s benefits ceased, but her hours were variable, fluctuating from 16 to 45 hours per week. This inconsistency left Chloe unable to afford local rents and she once again found herself sofa surfing with different friends and family for four months whilst continuing to hold down her job.
Chloe says: “I’ve been pushing. I’ve been in three or four times per week signing up to housing associations and everything, but I haven’t moved forward at all. I feel like I’m being punished for having a job. I don’t know if it’s worth it anymore. I think ‘What’s the point?’ I had a good roof over my head but I’ve lost it by working. I like earning my own money – but at what costs? To the point where I have to beg and borrow, it’s ridiculous!”
Denise Hatton, chief executive, YMCA England said: “Supported accommodation is a step in an individual’s journey to independence but those ready to leave are increasingly facing a cliff edge. The rising cost and declining availability of housing, as well as the welfare reforms and local cuts to services in England all mean the options for those ready to leave supported accommodation are becoming even more limited.
While debate and help has been forthcoming for those looking to buy, people struggling to rent have been left behind by successive Governments. Without the offer of greater help to rent, thousands in supported accommodation are going to continue to find their transition to independence delayed until further notice.”
Read the full report and share your own experiences of housing delays and poor conditions on social media using hashtag #ExpectDelays
Young people ‘facing a cliff edge’, as housing crisis leaves them trapped | YMCA England
For young people facing life on the street or spent moving from sofa to sofa, a place in supported accommodation is a valuable lifeline and chance to get themselves back on track, however for many, this move can end in frustration as growing housing pressures leave them trapped and unable to return to independent living.
Research published today by YMCA England, found that over 4 in 5 (81%) of supported accommodation residents surveyed confessed to worrying about being able to find somewhere to live when they are ready to move on. With over half (56%) of residents feeling ready to move on but unable to do so, and one in five (20%) left waiting for over six months.
Reasons for these delays include a lack of suitable low-cost housing, landlord decisions which prevent those on benefits or low income from taking on a property, high costs of rent and living, coupled with the fact that less than a third (30%) are able to save any money for a deposit.
Being unable to move on from supported accommodation not only significantly delays an individual’s development and move to independence, with resulting costs for the Government and the public, it also means longer waiting lists and delays for newly homeless people in desperate need of roof over their head.
Chloe, 19, from Clitheroe, found herself homeless at the age of 18 following a breakdown in the relationship with her mum. After living at YMCA for eight months, she gained the confidence to look for work and took on a local role as a carer.
Having found employment, Chloe’s benefits ceased, but her hours were variable, fluctuating from 16 to 45 hours per week. This inconsistency left Chloe unable to afford local rents and she once again found herself sofa surfing with different friends and family for four months whilst continuing to hold down her job.
Chloe says: “I’ve been pushing. I’ve been in three or four times per week signing up to housing associations and everything, but I haven’t moved forward at all. I feel like I’m being punished for having a job. I don’t know if it’s worth it anymore. I think ‘What’s the point?’ I had a good roof over my head but I’ve lost it by working. I like earning my own money – but at what costs? To the point where I have to beg and borrow, it’s ridiculous!”
Denise Hatton, chief executive, YMCA England said: “Supported accommodation is a step in an individual’s journey to independence but those ready to leave are increasingly facing a cliff edge. The rising cost and declining availability of housing, as well as the welfare reforms and local cuts to services in England all mean the options for those ready to leave supported accommodation are becoming even more limited.
While debate and help has been forthcoming for those looking to buy, people struggling to rent have been left behind by successive Governments. Without the offer of greater help to rent, thousands in supported accommodation are going to continue to find their transition to independence delayed until further notice.”
Read the full report and share your own experiences of housing delays and poor conditions on social media using hashtag #ExpectDelays