Defining Homelessness 

___________________

Suitable, Sustainable, Supported.

This YJB publication from 2006 states that providing accommodation for 'young people who have offended or are at risk of offending is critical to both social inclusion and to reducing reoffending.' Without accommodation, the report argues that it is difficult for young people to engage or benefit from programmes critical to effective rehabilitation. It states that a lack of suitable accommodation can, is some circumstances, even 'lead to an inappropriate use of custody which should not be the case, given the statutory duties placed upon social services and local housing authorities.' 

Other YJB research found that 15% of all young offenders were identified as having housing need. After white young offenders (86%), mixed race offenders (5%) had the highest level of housing need, although they are one of the smallest minority ethnic groups in the UK.

There is documented evidence stretching back to 2002 which all conclude with similar findings to Suitable, Sustainable, Supported; 'Although there is a clear statutory framework with regard to age and housing responsibilities, actual practice sometimes seems confused. Some young people continue to be passed from agency to agency, falling through the net and failing to receive a service as a result.' 

___________________

According to the Shelter website, a young person may be deemed homeless if they are:

• Temporarily staying with friends or family

• Staying in a hostel or B&B

• Living in very overcrowded conditions

• At risk of violence or abuse in the home

• Living in poor conditions that effect your health

• Living somewhere that you have no legal right to stay

• Living somewhere you cannot afford to pay for without depriving yourself of basic essentials

• Forced to live apart from your family or someone you would normally live with, because your accommodation isn't suitable

Accommodation may be defined as unsuitable on the basis of:

• Rent

• Condition of the property or the suitability of the housing provider

• Size not appropriate to the person's needs

• Location - such as placing the young person at risk of reoffending / substance misuse / amongst other 'unsuitable' residents

• Social factors, such as distance from family, educational provision, special schools, training or employment opportunities

• The impact on physical, emotional or mental health e.g. difficulty in accessing a property, such as climbing stairs

• Risk of racial harassment / domestic violence

• Lack of appropriate support

• Housing provision that does not take into account the wishes / needs of the young person - for example it is too near (or too far from) family / support

Suitable = Age Appropriate!