Jules Oldham
National Policy &
Practice Coordinator
An understanding of homelessness
Stereotype
Reality
Sometimes you go
through life and the
wrong thing happens.
Jennifer Manske Fenske
In Scotland how do we define 'Homelessness'?
If:
•
s/he has no accommodation in the UK or elsewhere
•
s/he has no accommodation which is available for the entire househ
old to live in together
or
A person is homeless if s/he has accommodation but:
• cannot gain access to it
• living there will lead to violence, or threat of
• it is a mobile home, or
similar and there is no place to pitch or moor it
•
it is overcrowded and it may endanger the health of the occupants
• it would not be reasonable for her/him to continue to live there
• it is not permanent
The Reasons Behind Homelessness - now
Hardest to
Reach
•
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Revolving door scenario
Extremely vulnerable
Mental Health issues
Addiction(s)
Low self esteem
Poor social skills
Chaotic lifestyle
Support – or not
'The system'
Literacy
Trust
Where?
Number of applications
by local authority 2013 – 14
Scotland 36,457
Everywhere
Rights
• Scottish system
• 2012 commitment
Scottish System guarantees that those
who lose their home from no fault of
their own will be provided with settled
accommodation.
Housing options encompasses looking
at an individual's options in the widest
sense, featuring early intervention and
exploring all options available to a
household.
Where might you end up living?
Options
• Local Authority
• Friend or family
• Hostel, or similar (poss B&B)
• Rent new place (buy new place)
• Emergency accommodation
• Rough sleeping
Challenges
Feeling a bit alien
Possible poor mental health
Embarrassment
Apprehension
A temporary address
Low confidence
A huge step
Issues with ID
Possibly no phone or internet
(access)
A lack of money for travel
Health not the highest priority
A lot of other pressures
Sometimes you go
through life and the
wrong thing happens.
Jennifer Manske Fenske
[email protected]
Jules Oldham
National Policy & Practice Coordinator