Leaving Home A few Home Truths East Lothian

Leaving Home A few Home Truths East Lothian Housing Education Partnership

It comes as a shock

What has this got to do with ME? The figures show on average, that 2 people in this classroom could have to ask for homelessness help by the time they are 25

What has this got to do with ME? The figures show on average, that 2 people in this classroom could have to ask for homelessness help by the time they are 25

Scottish Homelessness - Facts Q> How many people were officially judged Homeless in Scotland in 2010/11? A> 39, 827 households – nearly 70, 000 people Q> How many children were made Homeless in Scotland EVERY DAY? A> Around 55 BUT 13% more sought assistance - nearly 90, 000 people in total

All the Scots who sought Homeless help in Scotland in 2012/13 would fill Murrayfield stadium …and 20, 000 would still be locked out!

How do you become homeless? Which of these factors is the biggest cause of homelessness in East Lothian. . . is it: Losing your home because you can’t pay your mortgage? Being thrown out by your landlord? Overcrowding? A non-violent dispute in your house? A violent dispute? Being asked to leave your home by relatives/carers/friends?

The answers. . Losing your home because you can’t pay your mortgage? 5% Being thrown out by your landlord? 12% Overcrowding? . 015% A non-violent dispute in your house? 21% A violent dispute? 8. 5% Being asked to leave your home by relatives/carers/friends? 38%

Young single people are AT RISK Around 1200 approach ELC homelessness service each year A high proportion (25%+) are single people under 25. 64 were single people under 18, excluding single parents Top causes are. . . 1. Unplanned departure - thrown out or just get up and go for various reasons - more than 50% of total 2. Relationship breakdown – violent or not. . . (c. 30% during 10/11) Biggest single reason in 2010/11 was “asked to leave” 38% Two people in this class, by the time you are 25

It doesn’t need to go wrong. . . Accept that you are at risk DON’T leave home too soon DON’T leave without a plan Make sure you MINIMISE RISK Learn how to leave safely

About this presentation. . . What a home is about What is good about it – why you might want to stay What is bad about it – why you might want to leave What happens if you leave with no plan How to live independently, successfully

What is a home? You feel Respected/Valued You get Comfort/Love You are happy with Family Get Peace & Quiet Get Support when needed Can bring Friends Want to Come Back there

A home … …above all is a place where you can … …. be yourself

Troubles at home

Home can be hard. . . Have no space to call your own Must keep everything tidy Do all the washing up …and the rest of the housework Get grounded Can’t have parties Always have to keep the noise down Can’t bring friends back

Disaster - Unplanned departure Family Conflict Family breakdown Abuse/Violence Thrown Out Poverty Alcohol/Drug Problems

Young single people are AT RISK Around 1200 approach ELC homelessness service each year A high proportion (25%+) are single people under 25. Top causes are. . . 1. Unplanned departure - thrown out or just get up and go for various reasons - more than 50% of total 2. Relationship breakdown – violent or not. . . (c. 30% during 10/11) Biggest single reason in 20010/11 was “asked to leave” 38% Two people in this class, by the time you are 25

Planned departure – for Independence & Freedom! Go to College / University To Get Work / Training To Get Married / Live with Partner Share with Friends Time is Right Leaving Care (no choice) Testing the Water Bright Lights / Big City

What do you need to think about? Share or Live Alone Where to live? Rent or Buy Managing Money Transport Furniture Responsibilities … Neighbours …

Expect to make mistakes

What could go wrong? Fail to pay your rent Annoy the neighbours Get an ASBO Fall out with your flatmates Get ‘suckered’ Drop out or lose your job

Stay at home as long as you can!

What about plan ‘B’ ? Think it through BEFORE you leave Who will you turn to immediately? Where will you go next? What are the essentials DONT BURN YOUR BRIDGES

Who can help ? Council Housing Service – duty to provide advice / assistance Specialist ELC officers - help single people aged 16 -25 Call: 0800 169 1611 Shelter Scotland – advice on housing issues –weekly surgeries in every East Lothian Town Welfare Rights / CAB – look at your entitlement to benefits and offer advice on financial problems. Council Social Workers assistance in accessing other services. – offer support and provide

Web housing resource. . . www. eastlothian. gov. uk/housing