Homeless Friend

Jenner · 22-06-2007, 10:35 PM

I have a really good friend, he is 17 and hasn't lived with his parents since he was 16. He had been living with one of his friends, but he can no longer stay with them. He came round to mine tonight and asked if he could maybe stay at mine for a while.
I really care about him, and I am so worried. If it were up to me, I would let him live with me as long as he needed, but at the moment our family is stuggling to make ends meet, my mum is working 2 jobs, my dad works away and we don't have much space. It really couldn't happen at a worse time. But by Sunday - he will have no where to stay...
I have told him to go to the citezen's advice place, they could help him, right? I mean - they could help him atleast with housing...? I have no idea what to do, and I am going to have to talk to him and applogise and say we can't take him at the moment...any help/advice?
Thanks Jen xx

Artychik · 22-06-2007, 11:39 PM

The CAB can give advice but not much more really. He needs to present to the council as homeless. They can arrange temporary accommodation (B&B, hostel) and get him on the housing list. Most councils have youth housing officers for folk under 21 so getting in touch with one of them would help.

He may not be keen to go into temp accommodation as some places can be pretty rough but he really does need to go to the council, the sooner the better. Young folk sleeping on mates couches is a huge problem - it's sort of missed out in statistics as they're the "hidden homeless" - but there is actually a lot of help out there available.

The council really has to be his next port of call. Unfortunately there may not be a lot you can do on a Friday evening although most councils have an emergency out of hours housing line you can contact and they could get him somewhere, even if just for the weekend.

Hope that helps. I work in homelessness, so if I can offer any more information just let me know

Sarah x

Ileana · 23-06-2007, 07:12 AM

Did you tell your parents already? 'cause if he reallt needs it, and he's a respectful person maybe they can let him stay for a couple of days untill he talks to the proper people and gets help from them...just so he doesn't have to sped any time in the streets. Like was said already, he could help around the house and stuff...just untill he gets some help with the housing.

phoenix · 23-06-2007, 08:13 AM

if he goes into his local council housing place they will help him find hostels etc that he can stay in. they would have a duty of care to find him somewhere to live.

Jenner · 23-06-2007, 06:45 PM

Just seen him - he was kicked out last night by his freind's mum. My parents are still really unwilling to have him to stay a few nights. Although I have told him to just come round if he has no where else to stay...
We work together, so will see him tomorrow. I have a number for him for the local homeless shelter/housing place. But I have no way to contact him until tomorrow. And I have no idea where he could be - I couldn't leave to find him, I am working at the moment.
Atleast by tomorrow night he will have somewhere to stay. I phoned them and they said they would find him emergency accomodation. I also gave him some money to phone me, get a bus to work and school, it'll be okay, I hope. He has promised he won't sleep on the streets.
Thanks everyone you all have been so much help.
Jen xx