I need help but I am not homeless
Local Organisations that can help and people you can talk to
Homeless services South Ayrshire Council: contact 01292 611600
Throughcare support team: contact 01292 612092
Youth Mediation Service: contact 01292 612092
Ayr Housing Aid Centre can help on 0129288111 ayr-hac@hotmail.com
If you are at school you can talk to your guidance teacher or councillor.
Homelessness
The word ‘Homeless’ makes you think of people sleeping under cardboard boxes and living under bridges but being homeless is more than that,it`s (according to the law) not havin a safe place to stay. Hundreds of young people are left homeless every year, it`s not something to be ashamed of.
What could happen
If you don`t feel safe at home, if your parent chuck you out and make it clear they don`t want you back and if you are staying with your mates or relatives (e.g cousins, aunts or uncles), you can apply as homeless.
If you are homeless, or think you might be, you can go to the council to ask for help. When someone is homeless the council has a duty to find them somewhere temporary to stay and to give them advice and information about how to resolve the situation.
Depending on the circumstances for example if you are 16 or 17 or if you have a child the council also has to find you somewhere permanent to stay.
However it is important to know.
• It is unlikely to happen straight away and what you are offered may be far from ideal. While you are waiting, you will have to stay in temporary accommodation.
• If you have made yourself homeless on purpose then although the council won’t leave you to sleep rough, they do not have a duty to find you permanent place to stay.
In Scotland, the law ensures that people who are homeless are entitled to help and there are many good services for helping people who become homeless.
Being Homeless is no fun
Homelessness can involve long spells in temporary accommodation. A young person will usually have little or no choice as to where they are placed. You will be living with people of different ages and some of these people maybe struggling with a range of issues such as mental health problems, drug addition and alcoholism.
Being Homeless is lonely
You might find it harder to keep up contact with friends and family. You might feel isolated and alone in a new place. If you feel lonely you may make unwise choices of who to make friends with and this can lead to more problems. However there are services that can help you to make new connections in your community such as Nightstop's social networking service "connect2gether".
Being Homeless makes it hard to get back on track
Being homeless can make it hard to carry on with school, education, training and work. It can lead to debt and health problems. It can make you lose confidence in yourself which make it hard for you to get back on track. It is a test of determination and character. If you are strong enough you will be fine but don`t worry you wont be left to struggle on your own, there is always help available, if you just ask for it.
There is no quick fix to problems at home but if all else fails, the homelessness system is there as a back up. It’s better than sleeping rough or staying somewhere that isn`t safe and it isn`t an easy way up the housing list. Stop and think about it and if you need some time away to look at all your options then you could maybe think about coming to Nightstop for a few nights. It might just be the move you need to give you space to think about your family situation and your future options.
Samaritans
If you want to talk to someone, you can phone, email or even post to The Samaritans.
Shelter Scotland
Housing Advice Free Helpline
Tel:0808 800 4444
Free national helpline run by trained housing advisors offering advice on all sorts of housing related issues. Shelter Scotland’s website has lots of information on tenant’s rights and housing.
www.scotland.shelter.org.uk
Leaving Home
www.leavinghome.info
The online guide to leaving home and housing for young people in Scotland with information and useful contact numbers.
Positive Action in Housing (PAiH)
Tel:0141 353 2220
PAih provides a casework/advocacy service to help people from minority ethnic and refugee communities overcome homelessness, racial harassment and poor housing
www.paih.org