Housing

Leaving home or care

Nearly everyone leaves home or care – sooner or later. Finding somewhere you can afford to live can be very hard.

If you are keen to be independent there are lots of things to consider:

• Where do you want to live?
• What sort of accommodation do you want?
• Do you want to live on your own or with other people?
• Do you want furnished or unfurnished?
• How much rent/mortgage can you afford?
• How much would the council tax cost?
• How would you pay for gas/electricity/water/TV licence etc?

Because there is so much to think about it is better to plan ahead and get some savings behind you. There are lots of organisations that will help you explore what is available and the options and support open to you.

If you have been looked after by a local authority you should talk to your social worker or Connexions personal adviser about finding accommodation and applying for financial help – even if you decide to move to a new area.

Connexions Direct – information about moving out of home, housing and disability, homelessness.
www.connexions-direct.com – go to Housing

Direct Gov – young people leaving care
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/YoungPeople/Housing/DG_181382

Priority Youth Housing – accommodation with support for single, homeless 16-25 year olds in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
www.priorityyouth.co.uk

Shelter – housing advice.
http://england.shelter.org.uk
T: 0808 800 4444

Local authority housing departments and housing benefit

Your local authority housing department will consider your situation and help or guide you to local housing support services that specifically support young people aged between 16 and 25. They will also have a department to advise on housing benefit.

Direct Gov – general information about housing benefit.
www.direct.gov.uk - go to Money, Tax and Benefits>Benefits and Financial Support>Housing Benefit.

Local authority housing and housing benefit departments:

Bath & North East Somerset – housing benefit.
www.bathnes.gov.uk - go to Advice and Benefits>Benefits
T: 01225 477 777 Revenues and Benefits

Bath & North East Somerset – housing advice and advice for the homeless.
www.bathnes.gov.uk - go to Housing
T: 01225 477 000 Housing Services

Bristol – housing benefit.
www.bristol.gov.uk - go to Advice and Benefits>Housing Benefit
T: 0117 922 2300 - benefits service

Bristol – housing advice and advice for the homeless.
www.bristol.gov.uk - go to Housing
T: 0117 922 2000 (ask for the Customer Service Point for your area)

North Somerset – housing benefit, housing advice and help for the homeless.
www.n-somerset.gov.uk/housing - go to Housing and Council Tax Benefit
T: 01934 888 136 or 138 - housing benefit information
T: 01934 888 099 - housing benefit claims
T: 01934 426 249 - housing advice Team

South Gloucestershire – housing benefit and housing advice.
www.southglos.gov.uk - go to H and select Housing Benefit.
T: 01454 868 002

Independent living for those with a disability

If you are young and have a disability there is help and advice about independent living and benefits available. Talk to your Connexions personal adviser. They will be able to put you in touch with the right local organisations.

Disability Benefit – general information
www.direct.gov.uk - go to Money, Tax and Benefits>Benefits and Financial Support>Disability Benefits

Home and housing options – adaptations, equipment and supported housing.
www.direct.gov.uk - go to Disabled people>Home and housing options

Sleeping rough

There are many reasons why young people leave home and sometimes become homeless:
• too many people in the family home
• poverty
• family problems
• looking for work.

In most cases young people do not choose to become homeless.

Don’t think that sleeping rough is your only way of living. It’s a potentially dangerous situation to be in. Ask for help – contact Connexions or your local authority housing department.

National Missing Persons’ Helpline – let friends or family know you are safe.
T: 0808 800 7070

Nightstop – emergency accommodation for young people aged 16-25.
www.nightstop-uk.org

Shelter – housing advice.
http://england.shelter.org.uk
T: 0808 800 4444

Runaway from home or care

There must be many reasons why you feel the only answer to your problems is running away from home. Maybe you are having problems with your family or you feel unsafe at home. Perhaps you are having problems at school.

Whatever the problem, there are organisations that can help you and it's never too late to try and sort out your situation. Running away could make your problems a lot worse and put you in a dangerous situation. Getting help while you're still at home is usually a better option than running away.

Contact your Connexions personal adviser – they won’t judge you, only listen and help.

Childline – there to listen, whatever the problem.
T: 0800 1111

Foyer – somewhere to stay plus help and support to live independently.
http://www.foyer.net/index.asp

Priority Youth Housing – help for 16-25 year olds in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
www.priorityyouth.co.uk

Nightstop – emergency accommodation for young people aged 16-25.
www.nightstop-uk.org

Runaway Helpline – help and advice for young people who have runaway from home or care. Offers the chance to send a message home.
www.missingpeople.org.uk/runaways
T: 0808 800 7070 free helpline

The Samaritans – 24/7 support.
www.samaritans.org.uk/
T: 08457 90 90 90