Problems

Homeless / Housing/Runaways

Anyone can end up homeless due to circumstances over which they may have had no control. Being homeless can bring with it not only the practical problems of having no fixed place to stay, to feel safe, to feel secure, but it can also greatly affect a person's self esteem, confidence, identity, and sense of belonging. Many homeless people can feel an enormous sense of isolation and despair. It is not always easy to be motivated and energised when sleeping rough or in temporary accommodation. It takes a lot of strength to keep going and to try and turn the situation around, to try and get back on your feet and to find some semblance of security in your life. It is important to try and get as much support as you can from wherever you can to help you to access services and assistance which is out there.

Sadly many young people on the streets have left home due to abuse, neglect and we get calls and emails from young people who are contemplating running away from home as a way of solving their problems. If you are a young person reading this and are in this situation we would urge you to look at other ways of trying to deal with any difficulties you might be experiencing at home. Children and young people who runaway frequently become targets for people who do not have your best interests at heart. They may pretend to care for you and befriend you and may well have ulterior motives. It is not uncommon for young people who runaway to be forced into prostitution, stealing, and other crime and once in that situation it is very difficult to get away from the person who may be abusing you so by running away from an abusive situation you may well be running into another abusive situation.

If you have problems at home or any kind of problems please use the resources from this website and links to other websites and agencies to try and get help and support to deal with the difficulties you may be experiencing. To get help you need to ask for it - from teachers, friends, parents, relatives, helplines, youth workers, GP, - anyone you feel you can trust - if you don't get the help you need from that person - ask another person and keep asking until you get the help you need.

For anyone who has gone missing or runaway - you may have your own reasons for this and feel you don't want anyone to know where you are and may have moved on with your life - however for your family/loved ones it can be extremely difficult for them to move on with their lives not knowing whether you may be alive or dead - perhaps think about leaving a message to let people know you are safe and you can do this through the Runaway Helpline and Missing Persons Helpline (details below).

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Agencies which provide support and information

 

Advice for Renters
https://adviceforrenters.org/
A charity that provides free housing advice, financial inclusion support and mentoring. Being on the frontline of the housing crisis, we’ve served thousands of low-income and minoritised tenants facing homelessness. If you can, please donate today to support our work.

Advice for Renters from Mayor of London's Office
https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/housing-and-land/improving-private-rented-sector/advice-renters

Big Issue Foundation:
020 7526 3200
www.bigissue.com
Helping homeless people to help themselves. Aims to enable people affected by homelessness to achieve self confidence, self esteem and independence. Provide a gateway to a range of support services, both within the community and on site. These include housing and resettlement, specialist health services, education and training.

Centrepoint Helpline
0808 800 0661
www.centrepoint.org.uk
Centrepoint provides advice, accommodation, health support and life skills to young people in England aged 16-25 with the aim of getting young people back into education, training and employment.

Citizens Advice Bureau
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/
Advice on a wide range of housing issues

Coram Voice: (relevant to all London boroughs and nationally)
0808 800 5792
www.coramvoice.org.uk
Provides independent, confidential advocacy services to children in need, in care or who are leaving care and who make direct contact with VCC. Also visiting advocacy to children in residential care and secure establishments. Assists young people who have run away or who are at risk of running and who contact the freephone number. Ages 21 years and under.

Crisis 
www.crisis.org.uk
Activity centre for homeless people and the local community. Aims to improve practical life skills, reduce isolation and improve confidence and self esteem. Wide range of creative and social activities, short course and classes. Kitchen where people can share cooking skills, with non costly food available and course sin food preparation and catering. Access to support and training programmes. The service is for homeless people, including those who have recently been resettled. Ages 16 years and above.

Depaul
https://uk.depaulcharity.org/london-get-help/
Get help in London, Milton Keynes and the South East. 
Help, advice, counselling, mediation in London and the South East.

Field Lane Christian Care and Housing:
020 7748 0303
www.fieldlane.org.uk
Provides range of services for homeless families and for older people with dementia 

Justice for Tenants
https://www.justicefortenants.org/
Advice on a wide range of tenancy issues

Keychange Charity:
020 7633 0533
www.keychange.org.uk
To provide good quality residential care and Christian community. Currently two homelessness projects (direct access hostel and supported accommodation hostel, both for women). Eight projects for elderly people, two nursing homes, five residential homes and sheltered housing.

Look Ahead
0333 010 4600
https://www.lookahead.org.uk/
Look Ahead works with vulnerable people throughout the UK, those with learning difficulties, mental health, young people and the homeless .

Missing People
116 000 (freephone)
www.missingpeople.org.uk
National 24 hour helpline for people who are missing someone. Support, advice and practical help for the families of missing people.

National Residential Landlords Association
0161 962 0010
https://www.nrla.org.uk/
The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is the UK's largest membership organisation for private residential landlords in England and Wales, supporting and representing over 100,000 members. As the home for landlords, the NRLA offers a vast range of expertise, resources, and exclusive member benefits and savings, designed to help and empower members, as well as playing a pivotal role in campaigning and championing the interests of landlords.

Op Fortitude
0800 952 0774
https://www.riverside.org.uk/care-and-support/veterans/opfortitude/
Government Helpline to help Homeless Veterans or Veterans at risk of Homelessness

P3 Charity
www.p3charity.org
See website for local contacts - P3 run a variety of services all over the UK that aim to give everyone the chance to be part of the community they live in and feel connected to society.

Aim to improve the lives and communities by delivering services for socially excluded and vulnerable people to unlock their potential and open up new possibilities. Linkworker provides support to troubled people in troubled times, one to one support to address issues such as debt, crime, housing, drugs, alcohol, employment help with CV writing, job searching, training, work placement and IT training.

Runaway Helpline: 
116 000
www.runawayhelpline.org.uk
Runaway Helpline is here if you are thinking about running away, if you have already run away, or if you have been away and come back.You can also contact the Helpline if you are worried that someone else is going to run away or if they are being treated badly or abused.You can call or text for free, 24 hours a day.
 

St. Christopher's Fellowship:
0800 234 6282
www.stchris.org.uk
Charity and housing association providing care, accommodation, education, training and support to children, young people and vulnerable adults. With the exception of the Refuge all projects are via professional referral only. Ages 12-25 years.

Streetlink
0300 500 0914
www.streetlink.org.uk
If you are concerned about a person sleeping rough/homeless person you can report this online. If for any reason you can't use the online service please contact the Helpline number. If you are a rough sleeper/homeless and need help you can also report this online or contact the Helpline number

If you are in Birmingham City Council, Brighton & Hove City Council, Camden Borough Council, City of London Corporation, Cornwall Council, Newham Borough Council, North Norfolk District Council, North Yorkshire Council, Wandsworth Brough Council please use the link below

https://thestreetlink.org.uk/

St. Mungo's Broadway:
0203 856 6000
www.mungos.org
Support men and women through more than 200 projects including emergency, hostel and supportive housing projects, advice services and specialist physical health,  mental health, skills and work services.

Shelter's emergency helpline
0808 800 4444
www.shelter.org.uk
Provides emergency support to those who are at immediate risk of homelessness, at risk of harm or abuse in their home, or have nowhere to sleep tonight.
For advice on housing rights, harassment, illegal eviction, rent and mortgage arrears, housing benefit and getting help from the council visit  https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice

Simon Community:
www.simoncommunity.org.uk
To provide relief, care and comfort to those people sleeping rough and with no fixed abode, to campaign for improvements in the quality of life for the homeless and rootless. One night shelter and two residential homes, street work to reach those people who most need help, medical care, tea and soup runs, twice weekly street café.

Spires:
020 8696 0943
www.spires.org.uk
8 Tooting Bec Gardens, London SW16
To improve the quality of life of people who are homeless, jobless or suffering from the effects of poverty, mental illness or loneliness, by providing a range of day centre services. Open access day centre. Services include free meals, clothing, companionship, resettlement advice, primary health care clinic, drug and alcohol services, benefits advice, women's group and adult learning sessions.

The Albert Kennedy Trust: (national and relevant to all London boroughs)
020 7831 6562
www.akt.org.uk
Works with lesbian, gay and bisexual young people up to the age of 21 years, providing advocacy, support and advice. Also gives access to supported lodgings with gay and lesbian carers who provide a positive role model and environment. The young person must self identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual.

The Connection at St Martin's
(Area served Westminster - people must have a link to Westminster borough).
020 7766 5544
www.connection-at-stmartins.org.uk
Day centre and support services for single rough sleepers & homeless people aged 18+. Specialist drugs, alcohol, mental health support, daytime street outreach. Low cost meals, showers, laundry. Housing and benefits advice.

NHS Homeless Health team runs a daily walk-in specialist nurse-led clinic Mon-Fri 9am-1pm (Wed 9am – 12:30pm); podiatrist on Wednesdays. Activity groups incl. anger management and gambling support, arts and mindfulness groups. Workspace team help find work/training, basic computer skills. Volunteering opportunities. Women's drop-in

Tuesday afternoon for existing clients. For other boroughs please check https://www.homeless.org.uk/

The Mix (formerly Get Connected)
www.themix.org.uk
Essential support for under 25s. Phone, Email, Web support and Counselling

United Response
020 8016 5678
www.unitedresponse.org.uk
Provides a wide range of housing services for those who are vulnerable, have physical disability, mental health needs, learning disabilities, complex needs, autism, acquired brain injury.

Vision Care for Homeless People
0203 286 4186
https://www.visioncarecharity.org/
“Vision Care for Homeless People” is a charity set-up to provide eyecare services to homeless and other vulnerable people in an accessible and friendly environment in which they feel safe, welcome and comfortable. The majority of homeless and vulnerable people are not in receipt of financial benefits, so are not eligible for an NHS eye examination and a voucher towards their spectacles. For those that are, not many practices will make spectacles free of charge, and a small charge may be unmanageable. The Charity provide a fully comprehensive, high quality service totally free of charge.

Vision Care for Homeless People aims to preserve, protect and promote the ocular health of homeless and vulnerable people in the UK who are unwilling or unable to access mainstream services available through the NHS. They include screening of ocular health and the provision of spectacles, that meets the immediate visual needs of our beneficiaries.

 

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Useful websites

https://advicelocal.uk/
Just enter a postcode and choose an advice topic to find tailored information for your area, including details of independent advice organisations who can help you get the advice and support that you need. Advicelocal can help you with questions relating to: welfare benefits and tax credits; council tax, including exemptions and discounts; debt and money advice; housing and homelessness; employment and work issues; disability and social care; and asylum and immigration.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/can-landlord-sell-house-im-30941604.amp
The Mirror:Can my landlord sell the house I’m renting? Your rights as a tenant during the sale. In this article, a few things you should know if your landlord decides to sell their property or if they have sold it

www.shp.org.uk - the charity for vulnerable and homeless people in London.

https://socialhousingcomplaints.campaign.gov.uk/
Social Housing Issue? Know How to Complain