Presentation given by Robert Aldridge of Homeless Action Scotland (U.K.) at the 2013 FEANTSA conference, "Investing in young people to prevent a lost generation: policy and practice in addressing youth homelessness" http://feantsa.org/spip.php?article1596&lang=en

1. Reducing youth homelessness in times of austerity
Robert Aldridge
Investing in young people to prevent a lost generation in Europe: key policy and practice in addressing youth homelessness
8th November 2013, Prague, Czech Republic

2. Context Scotland
Every homeless applicant has the right to temporary accommodation for a reasonable period
All unintentionally homeless households have the right to settled accommodation since Dec 2012
From age 16 illegal to take age into account in allocating social housing
Investing in young people to prevent a lost generation in Europe: key policy and practice in addressing youth homelessness
8th November 2013, Prague, Czech Republic

3. 0
5.000
10.000
15.000
20.000
25.000
30.000
35.000
40.000
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
Under 25s Assessed as Homeless 2006-2013
Under 16 and 17
18 to 24
Total under 25
All ages assessed
Investing in young people to prevent a lost generation in Europe: key policy and practice in addressing youth homelessness
8th November 2013, Prague, Czech Republic

4. The facts
Homeless presentations and acceptances reduced by 13% in last year
Youth homelessness presentations reduced in same proportion
Ca 24% of homeless applicants are single people under 25 (ca 9% age 16/17)
Young women’s homelessness reducing less than young men’s
Investing in young people to prevent a lost generation in Europe: key policy and practice in addressing youth homelessness
8th November 2013, Prague, Czech Republic

5. The approach - positive
Leaving home and housing education in schools
Early intervention
Housing Options
Mediation
Approach based on finding long term solutions
Investing in young people to prevent a lost generation in Europe: key policy and practice in addressing youth homelessness
8th November 2013, Prague, Czech Republic

6. The approach - negative
‘Housing Ready’ not ‘housing first’
No option but to stay at home
Inappropriate mediation
‘sofa surfing’
Inconsistent service provision
Where have they gone?
Investing in young people to prevent a lost generation in Europe: key policy and practice in addressing youth homelessness
8th November 2013, Prague, Czech Republic

7. The dream
Good education everywhere
Good advice
Good links between services (health, social work, education etc)
Good protocols (care leavers, young offenders)
Rights – and know how to use them
Support when needed
Access to accommodation
Investing in young people to prevent a lost generation in Europe: key policy and practice in addressing youth homelessness
8th November 2013, Prague, Czech Republic

8. The future
Unknown unknowns
Welfare Reforms including possibly no rent subsidy for under 25s
Possible age discrimination in social house lettings
Integration of health and social care
Getting it Right For Every Child
Investing in young people to prevent a lost generation in Europe: key policy and practice in addressing youth homelessness
8th November 2013, Prague, Czech Republic