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The LATCH Project
LIVING AMICABLY TOGETHER IN CARING HOMES
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WHO?
Bromley Churches’ Housing Action is a
registered charity set up in 1988 to work
for the relief of poverty among homeless
young people in the London Borough of
Bromley.
The LATCH project was set up to find
accommodation for homeless youngsters
between 18 to 25.
We are evolving and offering housing
advice to homeless persons outside our
core age bracket.
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WHY?
We do this because homelessness in
young people is a huge problem . if
LATCH ceases to function, there is no
alternative agency to which its clients
can turn to for help.
Under Housing Act a duty is not owed
to those aged between 18 to 25.
The services at LATCH can be the help
they need to set them on the right path
to independent living.
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By making use of spare rooms in the
homes of ordinary householders.
HOW?
By giving homeless young people a
support base from which they can make
a fresh start and become valuable
members of the community.
Householders are paid £94.27 per week
for their spare room
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Fatou’s story
 My name is Fatou and I am one of the lucky young people who had the chance to be
supported and helped by LATCH back in 2012.
 I once had a happy family, living with them and doing everything that a family would
do until I was thrown out of the family home by step-mother in November 2012…
 LATCH project was the best thing to happen to me, not because of the fact that they
gave me a home but because they gave me the confidence to look at the brighter side
of life and gave me the determination to pursue my dream. I don’t know what would
have happened if I didn’t get help from LATCH.
 Today I have a job as a carer as well as studying at university. Looking back this
couldn’t have happened without LATCH.
 I could have dropped out of college and ended up on the streets as many others who
didn’t get the chance that I had.
 Thanks to LATCH I have the life I dreamt of and more. Nothing can repay what LATCH
and Jackie did for me and I will always be grateful to LATCH.
Impact Facts 2015
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159 people used our advice service last year - 66 were female
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Placed 18 young people with host families
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Organised 33 mentoring sessions

Increase in referrals up by 52% in 2015

28 Referrals to other Agencies or Hostels

8 young people moved onto Independent Living

Home Starter Packs given to our LATCH clients with the help of Big Lottery

Home Starter Packs given to 30 Penge Churches HA Tenants and a number
to Keniston HA
Impact 2016 – Adapting to change

This year 148 people have used our services to date, 44 of which were
advice cases for the over 25’s
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Liaise with the Citizens Advice Bureau and Foodbank

Links with local schools e.g. Newstead Wood Girls, St. Philomena Catholic
Primary, Bishop Challoner. National Citizenship Challenge.

On-site Housing Surgeries at Bromley College.

Working with Bromley Homeless Shelter

Looking for innovative ways to secure funding e.g. Creating a Legacy
Scheme
Examples of enquiries 2016
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Placing 1 young person with a host family and a further 2 are awaiting references
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Successfully referred an 81 year old facing eviction (with poor English) to Housing
Registers Team
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Assisted a 76 year old in completing his application to Housing Registers Team.
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After a lengthy procedure and advice from Shelter Legal Team (26 year old pregnant
referral) resulted in temporary accommodation being provided by LBB.

Supported 58 year old ex-convict to secure a hostel place and provided support after
placement

Referred a 24 year old ex-convict to a charity that offers mentoring to ex-convicts and he
was then referred to Mind to attend suitable activities
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Benefits office re-instated benefits following a letter from LATCH to the client’s local MP.
The Client (a mother) had to give up work to look after her seriously ill child.
How you can help
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Become a Host
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Become a Trustee/Treasurer
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Advertise for Trustees and Hosts in your Church
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Become part of the Fundraising Team
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Appointing LATCH as your Charity of the Year – We are happy to tell your congregation
about the project and its impact. Email [email protected]
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Sign-up for regular Newsletters
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Donate on our website www.latch-project.co.uk
The End
Thank you for inviting us.