Home's not so sweet for our youngsters, claims charity

Jul 3 2009 by Kenneth Speirs, Paisley Daily Express

ONE of Renfrewshire’s best-known charities is calling for urgent changes to the housing and benefits system.

Bosses at Bridge of Weir-based Quarriers claim that thousands of young homeless people in Scotland are being condemned to live in accommodation of an unacceptably poor standard or in a location where they fear for their own safety.

Now Quarriers has launched the ‘Condemned’ campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the reality of life for young people who have nowhere to call home.

The charity has made a short film to accompany the campaign in which youngsters who have been supported by Quarriers talk about their experiences.

Dr Phil Robinson, chief executive of Quarriers, said: “The young homeless people Quarriers supports often come from traumatic backgrounds and deserve to have a safe and secure place to live where they can start their adult life.

“However, thousands face huge challenges. There is often a perceived threat that they have to accept a tenancy – even if it is unsuitable – or they will be offered nothing else.

“In addition, young homeless people are penalised by a benefits system which is hugely complex and fails to offer adequate support for those who work and can find jobs.

“There are also huge inconsistencies across Scotland in the availability of support to furnish tenancies, with some able to access furniture packs and others reliant on community grants.

“And many young people in rural areas successfully complete a housing support programme which enables them to sustain and maintain an independent tenancy, only to be unable to access a house due a shortage of suitable accommodation.

“They then either remain in supported housing long after it is necessary or re-enter the homelessness system, often using bed and breakfast accommodation.

“Quarriers would like to see changes in the housing and benefit system – by both the Scottish and UK governments – which would have a huge impact on the lives of thousands of young people.”

The campaign is backed by David Duke, coach of the Scottish Homeless World Cup football team and Quarriers’ youth housing champion.

David, who was a resident at Quarriers’ youth housing project, said: “I know all too well what it is like to be a young homeless person.

“I ended up on the streets after a series of personal setbacks saw me turn to alcohol.

“I was isolated and too embarrassed to turn to relatives for help. I managed to turn my life around but it was a struggle.

“It is bad enough being homeless without being faced by a benefits system which stacks the odds against you. It leads to a vicious downward spiral which is suffocating.

“We must stop condemning young homeless people to a life of misery.”

Quarriers operates 10 youth housing projects across Scotland, supporting over 270 young people.