An Independent Social Affairs Magazine www.viewdigital.org Issue 44, 2017 £2.95

HOMELESSNESS CRISIS

Across the UK three million working families are just one paycheck away from losing their home

Supported by Simon Community NI and Choice Housing VIEW, Issue 44, 2017 www.viewdigital.org Page 2 Crisis must not become a catastrophe

olicymakers and stakeholders Three years ago Kenny was on the discussed housing priorities at a front cover of VIEW magazine. He had conference in Belfast recently. been homeless from an early age; VIEW PNichola Mallon gave an impassioned editor Brian Pelan caught up with him to plea to tackle homelessness; as an MLA she find how he turned his life around. He introduced a Private Member’s Bill to the now has his own front door key, a home Northern Ireland Assembly, which would for himself and his family. have placed a statutory duty on all People like Kenny should be part of government departments to tackle the conversations with policy-makers and homelessness but the bill fell with the stakeholders because homeless people are collapse of the Assembly in January. not just statistics. Her sense of disappointment that the Reports show that there are close to bill did not become law was palpable. 12,000 homeless in Northern Ireland, only Placing a statutory duty on each 3,000 new homes were built here this year government department, in our view, could and there are 20,000 vacant homes. have helped decision-makers to ‘join the More needs to be done by dots’ on homelessness and find a solution By Una Murphy decision-makers. They must ‘join the dots’ to what our guest editor Jim Dennison of VIEW digital publisher before the homelessness crisis becomes a Simon Community NI calls a “crisis”. Email: [email protected] catastrophe.

Spotlight on social affairs Contact Brian Pelan at [email protected] if you enjoy our work and want to support a themed issue of VIEW magazine in the future

Regulated by IMPRESS, the independent monitor for the press. Contact IMPRESS at www.impress.press VIEW, Issue 44, 2017 www.viewdigital.org Page 3

VIEW , an independent social affairs Editorial magazine in Northern Ireland

By guest editor, Jim Dennison, Chief Executive, Simon Community NI ery often the word ‘crisis’ is over - homelessness. All of these problems are used. Sometimes it is used to hard to address. So, if we think of ‘crisis’ overstate something which is a being a period of intense difficulty, the use pVroblem. I have stated for some time of that word is appropriate. now – as others have who work to end We are also living in a very dangerous homelessness – that we are in a homeless time and again I use that word with some crisis. I don’t use that word lightly. Recent budget caution, yet justification. Indications from The literal definition of crisis is ‘a time England, Scotland and Wales clearly show of intense difficulty or danger’. Make no cuts to support that welfare reform is having a very mistake; the issue of homelessness is detrimental effect on those people who getting worse here. More and more need support. Welfare reform changes individuals are finding themselves homeless homeless loom large in Northern Ireland and we can or becoming increasingly susceptible to the reasonably speculate that the outworking risk of it. During the period of the last services – and of that will not be good for those who are public government-sponsored potentially the most vulnerable or Homelessness Strategy (2012-2017), we marginalised in our society. have seen a 13 per cent rise in the num - the threat of Recent budget cuts to support bers of those who are officially accepted as ‘’ homeless services – and the threat of being homeless from 9,000 to 11,200, since further cuts – in further cuts – in a time of growing the life of the strategy. demand for these services could In that same five-year period, we have a time of growing have a catastrophic effect on how we also seen Northern Ireland as a whole tackle homelessness. experiencing greater debt, less access to A recent academic estimation of disposable income, have fewer savings and demand for hidden homelessness, i.e. those who are this has, in part, been responsible for an technically homeless but have not declared ever-worrying trend of house repossession these services themselves as being so, indicates that there and tenancy eviction. could be as many as 136,000 adults We have growing and currently in that position. If these three well-documented issues with an increase in could have a things don’t describe what could be those suffering from mental ill health and dangerous to people’s lives and welfare I addictions. For all of our talk of a catastrophic don’t know what can. newfound peace, we still have a I want to focus on the current crisis government that operates (when it’s effect on how but it’s important that I end on a positive functioning at all) in a fragmented and note. This crisis is fixable. People here have siloed way. We have a housing waiting list an enormous amount of tenacity and that grows and currently sits at 40,000 we tackle goodwill to those who need help. We households, yet we are building have the creativity for problem-solving and fewer than five per cent of the homes homelessness can be innovative when we need to be. needed to accommodate these families With this kind of commitment and and individuals. – if underpinned with proper strategic We have a largely unregulated private political commitment, adequate resources rented sector, one that is not sympathetic and openness about the size and or overly accessible to individuals who are scale of the problem – we could reliant on social welfare support. All of collectively end homelessness. We should these things are huge problems in their never lose sight of that nor give up striving own right. All of these problems cause towards it. VIEW, Issue 44, 2017 www.viewdigital.org Page 4 the BIG interview

VIEW editor Brian Pelan talks to Clark Bailie, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, about their Homelessness Strategy for 2017-2022 and other related issues, including the Supporting People budget

uestion: What weaknesses Q: What are your views on the were there in the 2012-17 Housing First policy and should Homelessness Strategy or increased resources be devoted dQo you see it as producing a towards it? successful outcome. I know DePaul have done really good work Answer: We asked the University of York around this and it does seem to offer a to look at that strategy and see how well I don’t think it’s more successful model for certain groups. or not we’d done. Looking down at my The idea of putting someone into a house notes I think there were 38 strategy any secret that or home and giving them that wraparound actions and they said 31 had been support I think would certainly give that completed and six had been partially our board would individual a lot more confidence and a lot completed. If you look at what we more support. I would like this supported. I were trying to do before and what we love to get back would like to see how we can reconfigure want to do going into the future I think the and allocate our funding to allow big difference is a much greater into building us to look at that and even more emphasis on prevention. We think innovative solutions. I can see a role for it that the last strategy was, by and large, a houses, but not in certain circumstances, but we have successful one. Obviously it creates a to go back and see how we can fund these good foundation to move on to to compete, but new developments. the future. to supplement Q: How will welfare reforms Q: Will the new Homelessness (including the recent introduction Strategy for Northern Ireland and c‘om’plement of Universal Credit into 2017-22 significantly reduce Northern Ireland ) impact upon homelessness? By how much? your efforts to combat the problem of homelessness? A: We’re all committed to trying to eliminate homelessness. I think that’s A: We’re currently the main provider of A: We know from research that has been aspirational. But we can all certainly do our social housing with our 87,000 properties. carried out in England in particular and best to work towards it. We haven’t set We’re the majority landlord in social there’s also a Wales audit office report specific targets yet. housing. We certainly would have which looked at the early implementation aspirations to play our part to increase the of welfare reform in Wales, that there Q: Have you carried out a rigorous supply of social housing and extending seems to be an increase in arrears and an equality assesment of your choice. The issue we have is primarily one increase in evictions and that’s something homelessness strategy? Are the of funding. As the regional housing that we’re very much focused on. I think results of it freely available to authority, our responsibility is to we’re grateful that we have the mitigation the public? administer the housing association grant in place but we’re looking to see, based on on behalf of the Department for what we can gather from research and A: Certainly we’ve met our obligations in Communities, so we have a role to play in experience in other parts of the UK, terms of consultation. We’re looking at the terms of assessing the need for new social what’s likely to happen when the mitigation impact – but yes, that information should housing developments. I don’t think it’s any comes to an end, if indeed it does come to be freely available. secret that our board would love to get an end. back into building houses, but not to com - Q: Would you like the Northern pete – but to supplement and comple - Q: Would you appeal for Universal Ireland Housing Executive to start ment. There would be issues around Credit to be halted? building homes again? Is there a funding. budget for it? A: Well our statutory responsibility is to VIEW, Issue 44, 2017 www.viewdigital.org Page 5

Clark Bailie: “We are absolutely committed to the Supporting People budget” administer a housing benefits system and to try and secure additional funding but it’s to look to manage as best as we possibly very much bound up in the state of can the transition from housing benefit to government finances. the housing component of Universal Credit. And as a non-departmental public Q: What are your views on body, I don’t think it would be appropriate hostels? Do you envisage them for me to call for it to be halted. I would love to still playing a key role in the years ahead? Q: There was a dispute recently be able to say over a cut in the Supporting A: We’ve a Supporting People programme People budget. Is the Housing Ex - that I’m and a homelessness program that has ecutive still committed to sup - developed over quite a few years and porting it and do you envisage an expecting an maybe we’ve reached the point where we increase in their budget? have to stop and say is this the way we want to do things in the future? I have A: We are absolutely committed to the increase for the quoted some research I have read with Supporting People budget, as is the regard to Finland because Finland is very Department for Communities. The budget Supporting often put forward as an exemplar of how for Supporting People is £72.8 million. As to deal with homelessness. We shouldn’t I’ve explained on several occasions now, People budget have any sacred cows, we should be open we were faced with a situation where to new ideas. there were unavoidable cost pressures but that would within the Supporting People budget, the be unrealistic Q: What is your personal reaction reintroduction of special needs ‘’ if you come across someone on management allowance, the growth of and dishonest the streets who are homeless. Do schemes from pipeline schemes that were you give them money? approved in previous years that are now 2017/18 year we did ask the coming to maturity. We had a really difficult Department for Communities for A: I think my attitudes have changed, and decision to make if we were to remain additional funding. At that time they maybe because of my transition from an within the overall budget. And as weren’t able to provide funding. I accountant to a chief executive. I naturally accounting officer I have certain obligations submitted an in year bid and I’m delighted relate to them on a human level, that in that regard in that how can we best to say our colleagues in the Department because of circumstances which I’m sure reconfigure allocations to stay within the were able to find additional funding and weren’t of their choosing, they find budget. We decided that we wanted to that is now being allocated to Supporting themselves in a position where they are protect floating support because we see People providers. As I told the Supporting sleeping rough on the street or they’re that as a really important aspect of the People providers, that unfortunately is begging during the day. I wouldn’t give Supporting People program. I did with a non-recurring funding. We will be working them money. The Housing Executive heavy heart write out to the colleagues in with the Department for Communities to supported a campaign last year which was the various supporting organisations and see how we can confirm the allocation for run by homelessness organisations, that confirm to them that we would have to next year. I really want to take this said giving someone money with the best reduce the non-floating support bit of opportunity to assure everybody we have of intentions is actually allowing them to their budget this year. At the same time I spent every single penny of that budget on live on the street. What I would do is go did say that I would take every opportunity Supporting People.I would love to be able back to my office and know that the work during the year to submit requests for to say that I’m expecting an increase but the Housing Executive is doing is aimed at additional funding, and when we set our that would be unrealistic and dishonest. trying to help people who find themselves original budget at the beginning of the Certainly, I will present the best case I can in that situation. VIEW, Issue 44, 2017 www.viewdigital.org Page 6

A place of sanctuary as the winter approaches

Brian Pelan reports on his night visit to a soup kitchen in Belfast which provides food and warmth to those in need t felt like I’d stepped out of Doc’s onto the streets with three other DeLorean time car in the Back to the members of an outreach team. Our car Future films and I had returned to the was packed full of provisions, including 1I930s. But no. I was in Belfast on a sleeping bags and hot drinks. Friday night in 2017 and I was about to I found the experience deeply visit a soup kitchen. depressing as we encountered a number of The city’s streets were awash with people who were sleeping rough on the heavy rain as I entered the building which streets. One man I met, who obviously had is situated next to St Patrick’s Church on a drink problem, embraced me warmly and Donegall Street. asked me to say a prayer for him even The atmosphere was warm and though he said he didn’t believe in religion. friendly despite the bleak circumstances. Of particular sadness was my Volunteers bustled around as they encounter with three young women – all catered to the homeless and those in need in their 20s and who were high on drugs. of food and someone to talk to. Awareness: Paul McCusker They were huddled together on a street A sausage stew simmered on the freezing during the night and I found it very corner and were basically living a hand to cooker and a large table was covered with hard to get heat into me. I just felt mouth situation on a daily basis. cakes, buns, ham and salad rolls and physically exhausted at the end of it and I We ended the night by meeting a man chocolate biscuits. Large urns of coffee, was only on the streets for three days.” in his 60s who has been sleeping rough for tea and soup were stacked up and ready Paul added: “This soup kitchen has more than 14 years. He has refused all for use. been running for six months. We’re opened offers to enter a hostel and now appears The incongruity of it all was striking as every Friday and Saturday – from 7pm to to be entrenched in his opposition to living you were very aware that literally less than 11pm. An outreach team, run by Charlie in a home. a mile away restaurant goers had their eyes McGarry from Rosemount House on the As the rain poured down, I knelt on intently fixed on menus as they decided Antrim Road, delivers food, sleeping bags the ground beside him and we chatted for which feast of food they would opt for, and warm clothes to those living on the a short time. His eyes twinkled and his and gallons of craft beers, bottles of wine streets of Belfast.” voice was warm. But I couldn’t help think and cocktails were being consumed by Paul said: “I have personally witnessed about how long can a human being survive thirsty revellers. a big increase in homelessness, particularly in such atrocious living conditions? Paul McCusker, who has been working amongst young people.” At the end of our night I was dropped in the homeless sector for more than eight I asked Paul what he thought were the off at Royal Avenue. I phoned for a taxi to years and who volunteers in the soup necessary steps to try and make a huge bring me home. As I waited I instinctively kitchen, is a nurse and a SDLP councillor. dent in the problem. searched in the pockets of my coat for my “To give myself a better idea of what it “Homelessness is not just a housing own front door key. It felt good to hold it. is like to be homeless in Belfast, I slept out issue, it is also a health issue. We need a on the streets in 2014 to try and raise totally collaborative approach from the • Rosemount provides awareness about the issue. health authorities and the Northern accommodation for those seeking “I left my house on a Monday and I Ireland Housing Executive to tackle the recovery from alcohol addiction, didn’t return home until Thursday. problem,” replied Paul. which may also include secondary “It was a very tough experience. All I After a couple of hours in the soup drug addiction with associated had was a sleeping bag. I slept in Donegall kitchen where I chatted to some of the health issues (www.rosemount - Place in the heart of the city. It was individuals who were using it, I headed out houselimited.org/) VIEW, Issue 44, 2017 www.viewdigital.org Page 7 COMMENT Can we end homelessness in Northern Ireland?

Dr Beth Watt, a Senior Research Fellow at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, says we should not underestimate the scale of the task ahead in trying to reduce the homeless figures his year saw the launch of a new strategy is on establishing new delivery five-year plan to ‘end homelessness mechanisms, monitoring and oversight together’ in Northern Ireland, processes. Getting these aspects right early mTaking this a good moment to consider on will be key to success. progress to date in tackling the issue, and The task of substantially reducing the strategy’s chance of success. homelessness in over the next five years is For the last five years, action on thus possible, as the wider UK experience homelessness in Northern Ireland has demonstrates. But the Northern Irish been guided by the 2012-17 strategy, During the winter context comes with its own unique set underpinned by a vision to eliminate long- of challenges. term homelessness and rough sleeping. of 2015/16, a flurry First, previous enthusiasm for the During this period, however, levels of exceptionally well-evidenced Housing First official homelessness increased by of deaths on the model for responding to the needs of 13 percent, and approaches to the Housing chronic rough sleepers (which unlike Executive for homelessness-related streets of Belfast traditional models, focuses on providing reasons remained stubbornly high. During immediate access to permanent housing the winter of 2015/16, a flurry of deaths reinforced the and the support needed to maintain it), has on the streets of Belfast reinforced the been replaced by very weak mo1 st extreme human costs of most extreme commitments in this area in the 2017-22 homelessness for the most vulnerable. Strategy. The likelihood of making The enduringly high levels of official human costs of substantial gains in addressing the needs of homelessness in Northern Ireland are the very most vulnerable rough sleepers is particularly striking when viewed in a UK homelessness for lower that it might have been. context. Scotland and Wales have seen A second and major challenge is the substantial declines over the last five years. the m‘os’t implementation of welfare reform over the Looking further back, very dramatic period of the new strategy. Significant reductions in homelessness occurred in vulnerable increases in all measures of homelessness the 2000s in England, while in Northern in England since 2010 clearly show the role Ireland homelessness was rising fast as a of these cuts in driving up homelessness, result of affordability pressures linked to particularly in the pressurised housing the housing market boom across the island prevention, only now is Northern Ireland markets of the south of England. Although of Ireland. following suit via the role of the Northern Ireland will benefit from Two central reasons why Northern long-anticipated ‘Housing Solutions and mitigation measures that are the envy of Ireland has not seen the declines in Support’ approach. This model is inspired the rest of the UK till 2020, the impacts of homelessness witnessed elsewhere in the in part by Scotland’s preventative ‘Housing cuts implemented before then, and most UK are worth high3 lighting. Options’ model, associated with a fall in especially post-2020, amount to a very First, the previous 2012-17 statutory homelessness of 20 per cent challenging context in which to prevent homelessness strategy failed on its own since 2010/11. It will see front line staff in and reduce homelessness, let alone end it. terms. The reasons for this are now clear, Northern Ireland trained to take a Third, the wider political context in following the publication of an independent problem-solving and holistic approach to Northern Ireland remains exceedingly evaluation and the most recent addressing the needs of those experiencing challenging, characterised by political Homelessness Monitor. There is a or at risk of homelessness, with advice on gridlock that has left Northern Ireland consensus that while the strategy’s vision housing options provided rapidly, and case without a functioning Executive since was right, its implementation fell short, managers ‘sticking with’ more complex January 2017. The resolution of this meaning that progress was far slower than cases until homelessness is resolved and political impasse will undoubtedly have required. Substantial internal changes and longer-term support in place to address implications for responses to staff turnover within the Housing wider needs. homelessness, in relation to budget Executive (which has statutory This long-awaited shift towards a allocations, the buy-in of the future responsibility for homelessness) and a resolute focus on homelessness Minister for Communities and wider failure to achieve effective prevention, together with an attempt to Executive, and the next chapter in the inter-departmental buy-in and coordination learn the lessons of the last strategy, Housing Executive’s fortunes. were key underlying challenges. suggest reasons for some measure of The next five years may, finally, see Second, while England, Wales, and cautious optimism that levels of effective policy and interventions drive more recently Scotland have all homelessness might reduce – even down homelessness in Northern Ireland, re-orientated statutory homelessness substantially – over the five-year life of the but there very clear reasons not to services towards a strong focus on new strategy. Indeed, a core focus of this underestimate the scale of the task ahead. VIEW, Issue 44, 2017 www.viewdigital.org Page 8 COMMENT

Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, tells VIEW why he is determined to end homelessness and Andy Burnham: “Our good work is hampered by the Government’s determination to continue the rollout of rough sleeping Universal Credit, a policy that will make the issues of homelessness and rough-sleeping dramatically worse.” in his city

hilst homelessness and rough that we give have changed over the specialist support services around mental sleeping are issues that did not decades, that sense of community and civic health and addiction. originate here in Greater pride and a desire to change things for the Work has also begun on ensuring WManchester, I am committed to tackling better remains. homeless people who wish to be them with all those who want to help. That As Mayor of Greater Manchester, I registered with their local GP practice can is why one of my first acts as Mayor was to have been humbled by the compassion, be. We are going to make sure that no create the Greater Manchester Mayor’s community spirit and charity of local patient is discharged from hospital straight Homelessness Fund, to which I am people. We don’t like the idea of people back onto the street. donating 15 per cent of my salary falling through the net – our values simply The Greater Manchester every month. won’t allow it. It is by harnessing this Homelessness Action Network is the The fund provides support to the passion and working across all sectors that bedrock of this work; a network of organisations who are working with we can create a real momentum and make like-minded, passionate individuals who people sleeping rough. Private businesses, a huge difference to so many. have offered their time, space and the voluntary sector and residents across There is good work already being expertise to unravel these complex issues the region have come together to join me done across Greater Manchester by our and co-produce our joint action plan to in helping those in need. It is this spirit of councils and others but with so many end rough sleeping by 2020, as well as generosity that inspires me to work even without a secure roof over their heads this reducing and preventing homelessness harder to help those whose voice is most work can only thrive if we push ourselves over the next 10 years. often not heard. further and embrace a change to the way But this good work is hampered by Rough sleeping is the tip of the things are done. the Government’s determination to iceberg. It is the visible element of a Greater Manchester is receiving continue the rollout of Universal Credit, a massive social issue with many other £3.8 million as part of a Government policy that will make the issues of human consequences lying beneath the ‘trailblazer’ scheme in recognition of the homelessness and rough-sleeping surface; sofa surfing, insecure tenancies, ground-breaking work we are doing in this dramatically worse. My plea to government families being forced to live in hotels. area, which will enable us to put in place is clear: immediately halt the roll-out of These are all signs that something is not real solutions to help people to get off the this damaging benefit scheme. working in our society. They are challenges streets. This includes 24-hour hub-based Homelessness is a crisis that is that we are all committed to tackling, but services which will provide high quality unfolding on our doorsteps, in our we recognise that public money alone will support for people when they need it communities. Everyone deserves a home not be sufficient. the most. to call their own and we should not – In Greater Manchester, we have a This is bolstered by a £1.8 million So - cannot – turn a blind eye. legacy of giving and compassion that still cial Impact Bond, which will use money In Greater Manchester, our eyes are resonates today. The ideas and morals of provided by the private sector to help wide open and it is this strength of philanthropists like Joseph Whitworth and ensure that those coming off the streets compassion and generosity – which has John Rylands, and social pioneers like are able to access support which will help seen more than £50,000 donated to the Elizabeth Gaskell and Ernest Simon live on. them find employment, education or fund - that shows care, kindness and And while societal challenges and the way training, and enable them to access altruism is alive and well here. VIEW, Issue 44, 2017 www.viewdigital.org Page 9

Tony McQuillan hit out at the Universal Credit system which has been introduced into Northern Ireland Shelter NI does not believe that the private sector is a panacea ‘to tackling homelessness Tony McQuillan, Director of Shelter NI, didn’t pull any punches when it came to talking to VIEW about the homelessness crisis

first met Tony McQuillan, Director of with all those groups of people. support. We also work with nearly 500 Shelter NI, at a housing conference in “Whereas this new strategy is more older people in Limavady, Derry, the La Mon Hotel, outside Belfast. He is generic. Also the previous strategy had a Magherafelt and Strabane.” aI big man in every sense of the word, has a commitment to end long-term He wi’dened our discussing by taking genial nature and is not afraid to voice his homelessness by 2020. There is no an opportunity to hit out at the “absolute opinions about homelessness and what mention of this in the new strategy. nightmare” of the Universal Credit system needs to be done to tackle it. “Also missing is an analysis of what and he also highlighted the stark difference Shelter NI, according to its website, they did and didn’t do in the previous between the concept of private housing “was founded in 1980 and is a charity five years.” and social housing. whose mission is to promote and facilitate I asked Tony what did he think should “One is out to make money and the the provision of sufficient, decent and be included in the new Homelessness other is not,” said Tony. affordable homes to end long-term Strategy. “We needed to continue with a “Shelter NI does not believe that the homelessness and eliminate poor housing”. model that looks at various groups and the private sector is a panacea to tackling Behind Tony’s bushy beard and impact of mental illness for example on homelessness.” twinkling eyes was a mind eager to engage them. There is also a huge omission when I asked Tony does he give money to and debate. it comes to addressing the question of the homeless people on the streets. We sat in his office in the centre of supply of housing.” “It’s a good question,” he replied. Belfast. Over coffee and biscuits, Given the criticisms levelled at the “Personally I wouldn’t. I prefer to buy them ordered in specially for the occasion, I NIHE, I asked Tony what is his organisation a sandwich or a cup of tea or coffee.” proceeded to fire off a number of doing to tackle homelessness. I ended the interview by asking Tony questions to him. “We wear two hats,” he replied. “We that if he had a magic wand when it came Is the current Northern Ireland have a campaigning side where we try to to the question of tackling homelessness, Housing Executive’s Homelessness punch above our weight.” what would he do with it? Strategy a good model, I asked Tony. Tony argued, that as he heads up a “I would want thousands of houses “No,” he replied. “The previous small organisation, their most effective to be built. The wand would immediately strategy was better as it looked at a approach is when they link up with other build them.” number of constituent groups, such as; groups to campaign about homelessness. On that note I finished the interview. LGBT, single people, older people, etc, and “We also work with young people in I had only scratched the surface. Tony, came up with a strategy to deal individually Omagh to provide accommodation and I felt, had a lot more to say. VIEW, Issue 44, 2017 www.viewdigital.org Page 10 COMMENT

Vital services under increasing pressure

Michael McDonnell, Chief Executive of Choice Housing, argues that his sector needs proper resourcing if it is to effectively address the homelessness crisis in Northern Ireland

hoice believes everybody should and employability. have a decent home. Unfortunately, This work is critical and focused for a variety of reasons, not towards enabling people to take better eCverybody does and in the last year, almost control of their lives and move into more 20,000 households presented themselves appropriate long-term accommodation. At as homeless to the Housing Executive. Choice, we also recognise our Worryingly, the problem is not responsibility to ensure our customers reducing and this region has the highest In an extremely have access to the right level of tenancy comparative level of homelessness in the sustainment support that helps people to United Kingdom with more than 50 remain in their home. We take care to families or individuals declaring themselves uncertain identify households who may be struggling homeless every day. to manage their tenancy and intervene Service providers have been working budgetary early to help sustain their tenancy. with statutory partners to improve the This is augmented with a number of response, but a prolonged funding freeze community investment schemes that work for the Supporting People Programme and environment, with local people to help create thriving a lack of suitable accommodation is inching neighbourhoods. more people towards homelessness. Choice and our In April, the Housing Executive The issue is in part about housing launched its new Homelessness Strategy. supply and that is something that quite many valued This is to be welcomed as it recognises specifically Choice can deal with and help that the challenges ahead must be met to support. Housing associations play a with ambition and targeted resources if we vital role in providing affordable housing partners are are to realise the vision of ‘ending and increasing the supply of housing across homelessness together’. all tenures. work‘in’g hard to However, the vital services that There were more than 1,500 new provide support to those without a home social homes started last year and an are coming under increasing pressure, as ambition across our sector to go much deliver the the numbers of people in need of support further. Over the next five years Choice continues to rise. aims to build more than 2,500 new homes homes and A five per cent reduction in funding and will be broadening the type of homes for the vital Supporting People Programme and housing options we offer. services needed has been signalled for 2018/19. If this tran - Providing housing and support for spires – and we must continue to make those who are experiencing or are at risk the case for increased funding under this of homelessness has always been an across programme – then accommodation-based essential part of housing associations’ services currently offered by the voluntary work. Choice and our partners offer a Northern and charitable sector will be at risk. And range of supported housing that homelessness is likely to continue provides a safe place to stay for people to increase. who have been homeless or are at high Ireland In an extremely uncertain risk of becoming homeless. budgetary environment, Choice and our This includes housing and support for many valued partners are working hard to people who have been sleeping on our deliver the homes and services needed streets, including those with mental health across Northern Ireland. We will continue problems or long-term drug or alcohol to play our part and remain eager to do addiction, ex-offenders and young people. more. But if we are to really address the We have also formed partnerships with homelessness crisis, we will need proper specialists who can deliver personalised resourcing and a policy imperative that support for individuals with a commits to urgent action grounded in variety of needs covering health, debt meaningful partnership working. VIEW, Issue 44, 2017 www.viewdigital.org Page 11

Deo part ofy somoethinug bigg erc anda re Meoving forowardu and gto heh lp even to befhore beeginlninpg you r ruole s? volunteer with Northern Ireland’s more people, we will soon be launching • Learn new skills, build your CV and leading homelessness charity, Simon our new five-year Volunteering advance your career BCommunity NI. Strategy across the whole organisation • Ongoing support and opportunities for We are a non-judgmental and would love to hear from further training and development organisation that is committed to working passionate, committed, caring and • Out of office expense, including your with anyone who is homeless or at risk of enthusiastic people, from right across travel expenses, will be covered homelessness, providing a vital service to Northern Ireland. • Learn new skills which will last you individuals and families and work towards We have a range of opportunities for a lifetime the benefit of the whole community. volunteers to get involved with our We provide 369 warm beds every day work, to help in many areas; from • To find out more please visit our of the year and manage 22 emergency and working directly with our clients to website simoncommunity.org or temporary-based accommodation projects taking part in our many fundraising and contact Rebekah McDonald, across Northern Ireland. promotional activities. Volunteer Co-ordinator, Email: Last year Simon Community NI has [email protected] been fortunate enough to work with How you can benefit Tel: 028 9023 2882 volunteers who have offered literally thou - sands of volunteer hours to help our or - • Be part of a team dedicated to ending • Our Freephone Helpline is ganisation support the most homelessness available 24/7 every day of the vulnerable people in our society. • Get any necessary training you need year. Telephone: 0800 171 222 VIEW, Issue 44, 2017 www.viewdigital.org Page 12 COMMENT

We need to talk about the hidden homeless

Professor Paddy Gray argues that getting onto the housing ladder is in reality a case of snakes and ladders because many of us will face multiple challenges throughout our lives n May 2014 the Irish cabinet agreed an normal lifecycle all sorts of bad things and 80-point plan to tackle homelessness unforeseen circumstances take place. We and eliminate it by 2016. I regularly visit normally begin life living in a family but DIublin and I don't see any evidence that many do not even have this luxury. We homelessness has been eliminated. In fact it begin adulthood as a single household then appears to be worse than ever. relationships are formed. Many of these And this is not just people sleeping on Spiralling house last, many don't. Divorce and separation the streets. Spiralling house prices, soaring creates the need for more housing. rents and the lack of affordable housing Then there is income. For some of us have left many living in overcrowded and prices, soaring income will increase but again for many it intolerable conditions just to get a roof will fluctuate and it can go down as well as over their head. Definition is very rents and the lack up. Those in and out of jobs, redundancies, important when we talk about short-term contracts all affect what we homelessness. Rooflessness or of affordable can afford and where we live. Then, of houselessness is what it means to many. course, there is health. People are living Having a home means much more housing have left much longer but unfortunately health will than shelter. In cities and towns across the deteriorate requiring the proper support UK and Ireland people are sharing many living in to stay in our own homes. accommodation involuntarily with little Also as we get older and our family hope of getting on3 what is termed the overcrowded and moves away we are left in housing that is 'housing ladder' given that prices are now larger than we need but our community beyond the reach of even those on intolerable links mean we don't want to move into reasonable incomes. smaller housing unless it is close by. So What do we mean when we say cond‘itio’ns just when we consider these and other housing ladder? It suggests that households scenarios in our multiple life transitions are climbing one when they get on it and to get a roof the housing ladder is more like snakes the reference, of course, is owner and ladders. occupation, which is another misleading over their head When we speak about homelessness concept as in most cases the bank owns we mean having a home with all of the the property not the occupier. security, privacy, and safety that a I was at a debate recently where household should have. Living on the research from the Joseph Rowntree streets is one form of homelessness and is Foundation pointed out that we have totally unacceptable but living in multiple housing transitions in a lifetime, intolerable conditions, involuntarily sharing, rather than a housing ladder. A housing living with the threat of violence within the ladder suggests a stable life but very few of home or from outside, living without us have such a luxury. adequate support are all equally unaccept - There is an assumption that nothing able. There are many out there who are will be bad once you get on this imaginary hidden from society but are equally structure. Sorry to disappoint you, but in a homeless; the hidden homeless. VIEW, Issue 44, 2017 www.viewdigital.org Page 13

On the streets: 32-year-old Aine

Brian Pelan talks to a young woman called Aine who has been homeless for the last five years during his recent visit to Dublin he cold air gripped me as I walked “The figures concerning homelessness past the iconic GPO building in in the last few years frighten me. We need O’Connell Street, Dublin, on a to have more rehab and addiction centres. MTonday night recently. Unfortunately, a lot of these places have I’ve been a journalist for a long time been closed down in recent years due to now and whilst I have witnessed many funding cutbacks. We need to end the shocking things, I was still totally transfixed revolving door of homelessness.” by the scene I saw in front of me. More Later in the evening, I spoke to a than 200 people, young and old, were being woman called Aine who told me she had fed at a soup kitchen. Many were been homeless for the last five years. homeless and all of them had an urgent Thirty-two-year-old Aine said: “I need for some food to try and ward off Activist: Keira Gill became homeless after my landlord sold the effects of the bitter weather. up.” Even though Aine has a job, she I doubt this is what socialist James sandwiches, hot meals and sleeping bags told me that can’t afford the rent for Connolly and the other leaders of the (when available) to anyone living rough on a home. Easter Rising in Dublin envisaged when the the streets. “I sleep anywhere and everywhere Proclamation was read out on the steps of Organiser Keira Gill said: “We’ve been every night. A lot of the times I’m lucky the GPO in 1916! here about four years now and we feed enough and I get a sofa in a friend’s or a The facts about homelessness in the around 250 people every Monday night. relative’s house.But people have their own Republic of Ireland are grim indeed. A Every other night we help families in our lives and you can’t stay there all the time.” recent Dublin Simon Community’s impact local area. We will support anyone who She is studying at university for a report warned there will be 9,000 people is homeless or who are struggling with a degree in community and youth work. She homeless in Ireland by the end of 2018 and range of issues such as finances. ruled out staying in a hostel. “I wouldn’t that there is a severe lack of health funding “I used to be a very materialistic feel safe,” said Aine. to meet these people’s needs. person but then I began to think that there She said that she works in the retail Data also published recently by the has to be more to life than just wanting trade but that her wages were not very Dublin Region Homeless Executive material things.” high. “I earn enough to be able to study but showed that during the week of Kiera, who describes herself as “an not enough to be able to pay rent also. October 18 to October 25 there were activist’, is a part of a support organisation “I want to have my own place and not 1,425 children in 677 families in emergency called the Irish Housing Network. to keep moving on. I really lack stability at accommodation. She is also studying at Trinity the moment.” Earlier in the evening in Dublin, I University where she has embarked on a And on that note of hope and visited a project called A Lending Hand. degree course in sociology and social sadness, Aine said goodbye to me and Volunteers from the group are on Dame policy. Her long-term plan is to help create walked off into the night with her Street in the middle of the city every her own “humanitarian hostel that treats backpack on her shoulders and holding a Monday night where they offer free people like humans”. carrier bag in her hands. VIEW, Issue 44, 2017 www.viewdigital.org Page 14

Helping the homeless: Simon outreach workers Daniel Saunders (above) and (inset) Derek McPartland

‘Tghainst ea bac kgfrouindr of sarotund steSimop n Comimusnity NtI. “oI used tob volunteeir ltdhey w anut to rpeadil y atccerpt huelp, ass Dtanie’ l 100,000 people who are homeless for The Samaritans which gave me a explains. “We had a disabled, elderly in Northern Ireland, the Simon good grounding for entering a career client who was living independently in ACommunity NI’s work extends well where my skills and experience could social housing with addiction issues. It beyond the need to assist people in finding be used to help others to turn their was clear that the client was a temporary accommodation and homes. lives around.” danger to himself, but it took months, and The link between homelessness and other No two days are the same for Daniel many meetings, for us to convince him to factors in society, such as family and Derek, in the way that no two clients accept help. breakdowns, addiction and mental health, are the same. “One of our clients, before “As he had no family our aim was to have been well documented. we met him, had been living in a tent, move him to a supported living One facet of our work is to support a surviving on little food and two bottles of arrangement and help him to face his range of clients in their local community. whiskey a day, said Derek. “He had little addiction issues. Today he is settled into Two of our drug and alcohol outreach self-worth and confidence, and had given supported accommodation where he has workers, Daniel Saunders and Derek up. The first step in working with our begun to interact with those living McParland, work within the South East clients, regardless of background or cir - around him, and with the help of a local Trust area, alongside a range of cumstances, is to build up trust. We are befriending service he is now able statutory and voluntary organisations, to able to help people, but trust and to regularly attend a gym, which he help support our clients with their communication are the cornerstones of really enjoys.” individual needs. turning lives around. These clients represent only two of Daniel, who moved from London to “Working with other agencies, such as the many hundreds of people we come study at Queen’s University, has had many the Community Addiction Team, the Bene - into contact with, help and support years’ voluntary experience working with fits Office and the Housing Executive, and each day. As we are dealing with some of homeless people. “After I left Queen’s I alongside the client, we created a pathway the most vulnerable people in society not worked as an interior designer but, that led him to being able to live all cases have a positive outcome, but the whereas I enjoyed the creative side of the independently. At the same time as dealing work of Daniel and Derek, alongside job, I didn’t find it satisfying in the way that with his housing needs, we worked everyone in Simon Community NI, I had previously experienced when together to ensure that he had the right including our network of volunteers and working with those in need. For me my job support which enabled him to confront his supporters, ensures that when someone is about looking at the person rather than alcohol addiction. We still maintain regular needs help, Northern Ireland’s leading and their circumstances.” contact with the client to ensure he always longest-serving homelessness charity will Like Daniel, Derek had experience has someone to reach out to.” be on hand to make a difference each and of volunteering before joining Not everyone is at the point where every day. 100,000 adults in Northern Ireland have no home

Together we can end homelessness

To help visit simoncommunity.org or Text SIMON to 70660 to give £3 VIEW, Issue 44, 2017 www.viewdigital.org Page 16 COMMENT

Why we need a Homelessness Bill

SDLP MLA Nichola Mallon, who represents North Belfast, says that the chronic issue of hidden homelessness is one of the biggest challenges facing our society today believe these five basic human needs are There is no satisfaction to share one the key to living a full and balanced life: example, from successfully pushing for access to food, to education, healthcare, medical assistance for a constituent with a wIork and a home. I am convinced, as this is respiratory disease, when the dampness in well evidenced, that access to a secure, the home they will be returning to has still suitable, good quality and affordable home not been addressed, because it is only a is critical if all of these other basic needs matter of time before their health are to be met. Tempting as it may deteriorates all over again. Research shows that there is a strong It was out of frustration at the futility correlation between homelessness and a be to fix the of this disconnect and the pervading multiplicity of mental and physical illness misconception among government and substance misuse, as well as an obvious problem departments that homelessness is simply inextricable link between homelessness rooflessness which led me to table a and financial hardship. at hand, Private Member’s Bill at the first Similarly, an individual in housing opportunity after winning my Assembly stress is significantly more likely to be overlooking other seat in March 2016. involved in, or fall victim to a crime. My rationale was that if change was to Yet, despite all of this evidence, happen it had to be enshrined in government here continues to operate as deeper issues is legislation. My intention was, and it if homelessness is simply an issue of remains, to bring forward a piece of rooflessness. It is not. Nor is there in my simply to apply a legislation which places a ‘statutory duty’ view, full acknowledgement and acceptance on all government departments to tackle within and across government of the plaster over a homelessness. growing housing and homeless crisis here. deep‘ an’d Not only will this lead to a more The chronic issue of hidden holistic approach and collective homelessness, whether it be sofa surfing, coordinated solutions, it will also place this living in temporary or overcrowded deteriorating priority on a much firmer resource footing accommodation, or living in fear of while delivering significant long-term violence and the li3st goes on, is one of the wound savings in health, social security and justice biggest challenges facing our society today. related public expenditure to name just In my own constituency of North a few. Belfast there are over 1,700 households The motivation behind this bill, in living in housing stress, and with more and addition to the future proofing element, more households forced to pay the savings and the fact that this approach is ‘bedroom tax’, not least come 2020, the based on best practice, is the desire to lack of regulation in the private rented sec - restore the dignity and security that comes tor, and the severe lack of readily available with having your own home and all that suitable accommodation, homelessness is flows from that. only set to rise. It is incumbent upon those of us that The sheer number of constituents have been given a mandate to use our po - that present to constituency offices across sitions to bring about positive change for the north in housing stress each day is our citizens. relentless. More often than not, It was deeply frustrating to see this homelessness comes hand in hand with an bill fall when the Assembly was collapsed in array of other complex issues that January this year. collectively need addressed. Tempting as it However, I remain committed, and be may be to fix the obvious problem at hand, there restoration of the devolved overlooking other deeper issues is simply institutions or not, I will do all that I to apply a plaster over a deep and can to set this legislative process in deteriorating wound. motion again. VIEW, Issue 44, 2017 www.viewdigital.org Page 17

We are facing ‘unprecedented challenges

Determined: ’ Ricky Rowledge VIEW put a number of questions to Ricky Rowledge, Chief Executive of the umbrella group Council for the Homeless, about its ongoing efforts to combat homelessness Question: Are we winning the Executive’s (NIHE) new Home - providers got a letter which said that the fight against homelessness? lessness Strategy – 2017 to 2022? NIHE were giving money back but that providers would have to apply for the Answer: No. There are a number of A: I think that it is a good start. It has also money.Although a condition was that the reasons why not. Some of them are recognised that it is a work in progress. We money would have to be spent before the structural reasons. We have lost a would have prefered it though to be more end of March next year and it would have substantial proportion of affordable housing led. But we have also had a win in to be spent on those activities on the orig - housing through the Right To Buy scheme. this document in that one of the actions inal bid that the money had been applied We need to look at a model of providing coming out of it places a duty on the De - for. houses and then wrapping services partment forCommunities to have an in - The problem is that some providers made around them. terdepartmental action plan. cuts based on the lesser amount that they were going to get. Q: How effective has the Council Q: Are your hands tied in any Some providers closed down for the Homeless been in tackling way because your main funder projects and paid off staff. Because of homelessness? is the Northern Ireland these decisions some of these providers Housing Executive? will not be in a position to apply for A: We have been very successful in the money. representing our member organisations to A: No. I have a duty to this member ensure that homelessness has been kept organisation and to homeless people to Q: How does all this impact upon on the political agenda. ensure that there views, voices and homelessness? interests are protected. I have no difficulty Q: After the deaths of homeless in doing this. It can, though, be a difficult A: Homeless services more than any other people on the streets of Belfast, tightrope to walk at times as we are facing type of client group are dependent on you said that more needed to be unprecedented challenges in the sector at Supporting People funding. We have been done to tackle mental ill health the moment. particularly hit by this budget cut. and addiction. Where any improvements made? Q: Where are we now in regard to Q: And finally, do you think the the budget for Supporting People? current roll-out of Universal A: There have been better interventions in Credit in Northern Ireland will this area. The Public Health Agency has A: It’s a bit like a game of chess at the have a negative effect on the been listening. Last month it set up a task moment. The budget was reduced on homelessness situation? and finish group which is chaired by the March 31 this year by the NIHE without Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ire - any consultation with the 100 providers A: Absolutely. In London alone there has land. This group is going to look at speed - who deliver Supporting People services. A been a huge increase in rough sleeping be - ing up the pathways for people who are campaign was launched to oppose this cut. cause of the impact of Universal Credit. It homeless. The Department for Communities then will lead to people here not being able to agreed to release an additional £2.6 million pay there rent and also that landlords Q: What do you think of the in order to mitigate the cut. The budget is won’t take people who may be unable to Northern Ireland Housing still £400,000 short, and secondly all pay rent. VIEW, Issue 44, 2017 www.viewdigital.org Page 18

SMILING: Kenny, who now has a partner, a child and his own house, and (inset) when he featured on the front cover of VIEW in 2014 when he was homeless Kenny tells of his joy at finally having his own front door key Brian Pelan talks to a young man about how his life has radically changed for the better since he had to survive without a home t was three years ago when I first met 2015 I was living in hostels.I really don’t representing Northern Ireland in the Kenny. At the time he was homeless and like thinking about that time. Homeless - Homeless World Cup. That was a living in a hostel. ness nearly ruined me. I obviously had fantastic experience.” I He very bravely agreed to feature in health problems when I was younger. Be - I asked Kenny for his views on what our 2014 issue of VIEW that looked at coming homeless made those problems is needed to effectively tackle the problem homelessness. I was delighted to carry his surface and made my problems a lot of homelessness. story, alongside his friend James, in the worse.Everything just deteriorated for me. “I think we need to have classes in magazine. We also used an image of Kenny It was a dark period in my life and it is schools, which are delivered to pupils on the front cover. something I never want to go back to. around 12 years of age, and which talk For this issue of VIEW I decided to “It makes my heart sink when ever I about topics such as homelessness,” contact Kenny and find out what his come across someone homeless now, replied Kenny. current situation was. especially when I see someone sitting in “My own problems started around I am pleased to report that Kenny is the rain because I know what that is like. the age of 12. Your pathway to being no longer homeless. He is now living in a “I wouldn’t wish that situation on my homeless can start very early in your life. house, has his own front door key and he own worst enemy.” We should try to nip these problems in and his partner have a little boy, with Kenny laughed openly as he talked the bud at an early age in children’s lives. another child on the way. about the sheer joy of having his own front We also need much more support from I meet Kenny recently in Belfast. Over door key. the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. a cup of coffee I asked him about his He also has very strong views on “I’ve no regrets about being featured present situation and his thoughts what it was like to live in a hostel. “You in VIEW. It helped to raise awareness about about homelessness and how it affected were under all these rules,” he said. the issue of homelessness.” his life. “You couldn’t live your own life and And on that positive note I ended my “I’ve changed an awful lot since that you have very little stability.” interview with Kenny. I also got to shake photograph was taken,” said Kenny. He has fond memories of taking part his partner’s hand and meet their son. “But that image of me speaks a in the Northern Ireland Homeless Street I wish Kenny all the very best. thousand words. You can tell by looking at Football League and going to Chile in He has been through a very tough it that I was someone who was going South America as part of it. time and it was fantastic to see how his life through a difficult period. From 2012 to “I got an international cap for had changed for the better. VIEW, Issue 44, 2017 www.viewdigital.org Page 19 COMMENT Why support for Housing First is vital

Kerry Anthony, Chief Executive of Depaul, says the crux of the problem when it comes to tackling homelessness is a lack of affordable housing and an out of control rental market

here are many differences in the working their way through a hostel system homeless sector in the Republic of and being abstinent. Ireland and Northern Ireland, not Over a four-year period Depaul has lTeast in how we count homelessness. In the worked to support the accommodation of Republic we now have over 8,300 over 200 people with complex needs and individuals using emergency accommoda - who may previously have been considered tion, including an over reliance on hotels unhouseable. In an independent review of to accommodate families. the pilot of this service almost 80 per cent The situation is also more acute in the We need to of those accommodated were still in their Republic due to the number of people tenancy 12 months later. In the Republic living in emergency accommodation and protect our there has been significant investment in indeed rough sleeping. In some ways it’s Housing First as a model with limited apples and oranges trying to make investment in Northern Ireland. comparisons but certainly with what has most Recently in the Republic the Minister been declared a ‘national crisis’ by many in has announced the move to appoint a Na - the Republic, there are lessons to be vulnerable and tional Director of Housing First, putting lea1rnt, particularly given the fragility of our this policy front and centre. There is also circumstances in Northern Ireland we need to do an investment in the model from local The crux of this complex issue is authorities and health. In Northern Ireland down to a lack of affordable housing and there is a modest investment in this serv - an out of control rental market. The this through the ice and only though the Northern Ireland Republic is finally emerging from recession, Housing Executive. The limited investment however the legacy of that recession has provision of for health in homelessness in NI is left the State with an inadequate social disappointing. housing stock. high quality Housing First has been accepted to In 2007, the Irish Government ‘’ some extent in Northern Ireland, but it allocated €3 billion to Housing, Planning, needs to be fully embraced, with a regional and Local Government. This dropped to services strategy developed with adequate funding less than €1 billion in 2014. Three years attached to it and championed by public later, this failure to see what was most To see housing as an add on to other servants. important during tough economic times departments is not sufficient. If we had a Between 2009-2013 cuts were has left us scrambling to plug a hole in our functioning government in place at implemented by the Republic’s HSE of 20 infrastructure. The housing budget is on Stormont, one lesson from the Republic per cent by 2013. This has not been re - the rise again with the Minister for Finance would be to recognise that housing and stored, leading to serious pressure of allocating €2.83 billion for 2018 towards homelessness are not separate issues. services providing support to those in trying to resolve the crisis. Homelessness should be a key proponent need. The ability to attract and retain A robust housing strategy is needed, of any housing strategy. competent, caring staff has also been with a commitment to building housing We also need to integrate our a challenge. and social housing as a key component. strategies, this happened too late in the Funding to vital services are being cut Continued investment in housing through a day in the Republic after the crisis had hit in Northern Ireland through Supporting recession is paramount and possibly the and now we are on the back foot managing People, a programme which provides single biggest failing in the Republic in a crisis. Northern Ireland housing and funding for a myriad of services and recent years. homelessness strategies should be much supports for providers in the A lack of Governmental leadership in more integrated, there should be an homelessness sector. Cutting funding planning and infrastructure is detrimental integrated strategy on the funding aligned for Supporting People is to housing and homelessness in any region. to the strategy for homelessness. counterproductive as independent The identification of a minister with a Depaul is a proponent of Housing research has shown that every £1 spent in specific focus on housing was also a First as a policy and a pioneer of its Supporting People schemes saves £1.90 for significant move both to ensure that delivery in Northern Ireland, whereby a other public services. housing and homelessness are represented person who is homeless with complex We need to protect our most at key tables within the government, but needs is placed in a secure home first with vulnerable and we need to do this through also to ensure there is an ability to hold the appropriate wrap around supports. the provision of high quality services, we government to account by the sector and This model dispels the myth that a person must keep on fighting to protect and in - the public. has to ‘earn’ their right to a home by crease the Supporting People budget. VIEW, Issue 44, 2017 www.viewdigital.org Page 20 COMMENT

Homes are linked to our wellbeing

Professor Siobhan O’Neil from Ulster University argues how shame, failure and guilt are key features of the life crises that can precipitate suicide and how homelessness can bring all three

ur homes, and home ownership, the degree that it triggers a spiral of are inextricably linked with our depression. The struggles that occur in the wellbeing, our sense of self and days, weeks and months leading up to the oOur journey through life. Moving out of the transition are also associated with anxiety. family home, leaving home to work or Financial stress, concern about study, moving in with a partner, they all repayments, and negotiations over represent key milestones. property are for many a source of For many, the move away from home considerable anxiety, often over the and eventually establishing our own home long-term. represents progress, success, and a Whilst anxiety from time to time is a meaningful life. Indeed in our culture the Sadly we seem normal part of the human condition, the concept of home ownership is also vital. repeated activation of the fight or flight Many barely question the legitimacy of to be moving response, the cardiovascular, the cultural drive to get on the housing immunological, gastrointestinal system ladder, viewing the mortgage (literally further away preparation for battle, is not conducive to translated as ‘death grip’) as indicative of good physical functioning. full1 participation in society. It is a lure that Over time chronic stress increases few resist, and many are railroaded into from really the risk of the many physical health unmanageable debt that will, at best, plunge conditions that are associated with lower them into lifelong debt and tie them to protecting life expectancy and poverty. unsuitable jobs and careers. Chronic stress, and in many cases Sadly, Northern Ireland is peppered severe trauma, are also at the root of the with half paid for houses with “owners” those who are lifestyle “choices” that themselves create who have sacrificed many of the disease, and of course reliance on alcohol meaningful and important aspects of life, vulnerable, and or drugs often excludes people from relationships, time with children, in order ‘’ many housing options which are designed to pay for the buildings, which for them those who are to protect . represent success, wealth and power. We are getting good, as a society, at Moving back into the parental home is talking about mental health, particularly for some regarded as the ultimate caught, as a condemning a perceived lack of mental indication of failure, and yet this is health services. increasingly common. In my analysis of result of What is less often acknowledged is 1,600 suicides in Northern Ireland there the role of the policy decisions, the was an important 3blip in age and residence practices of big business, and the social graph for men in their 30s and 40s. These combinations of forces around us; which are in part were men, who had taken their own lives, responsible for many of these problems. after having moved back into the parental unfortunate life No amount of mindfulness home following a relationship or marriage meditation, resilience training and talking breakdown. Shame, failure and guilt are key events and about our mental health will have features of the life crises that precipitate an ounce on the impact of bold and just suicide. Homelessness can bring all three. welfare policies. Housing transitions are sources of trauma, in the Sadly we seem to be moving further stress themselves; dealing with landlords, away from really protecting those who are banks or solicitors, packing, and moving, trap of vulnerable, and those who are caught, as a and then getting to know a new area. All result of combinations of unfortunate life take their toll. events and trauma, in the trap of They are also associated with the life unmanageable unmanageable debt and homelessness. events that themselves lead to mental Our high suicide rates and the results illness. When the transition is the result of debt and from the analyses of the factors associated a death, a divorce, or a repossession, it can with the deaths are evidence of this, and result in a devastating combination of homelessness my recent discussions with those working stress, shame and the disruption of key on the ground in suicide prevention relationships. These life crises can challenge services, would suggest that the problem is an individual’s sense of self and worth to getting worse. VIEW, Issue 44, 2017 www.viewdigital.org Page 21

The poem below was written by VIEW editor Brian Pelan in memory of someone he once knew who was homeless for a period in his life and who has since died

For Jimmy

I spotted it by chance or was I looking for it? A cigarette butt protruding from a wall. Did you leave it there? Perhaps planning to retrieve it some day.

You listened to the ebb and flow of chatter from your vantage point at a shopping centre. A smile played around your lips but the eyes told a different story.

Memories of better days must have been a source of constant torment and delight. Marriage, love, building with your strong hands, children and hope.

Once you confided in me about a memory. You were a child sitting tightly on the handlebars of my brother's bike. Careering down a hill with wide-eyed delight into an uncertain future.

The hours of wandering aimlessly lay far ahead. VIEW, Issue 44, 2017 www.viewdigital.org Page 22

We all of us have a name, a story, a joCurimrinnoelogyis t aFanithd G oard ofn,u wthou hras e recently moved to London to work, writes about how she started to volunteer at two homeless projects after a chance encounter with a man called Joe who was living on the streets

he Grenfell Tower fire “keep safe in this place girl. I’ve been disaster in west London robbed here, you know”. this summer tragically After meeting Joe, the issue of symbolises the impact of homelessness began to occupy my the legacy of government thoughts more, and as a criminologist, the austerity, which has pushed levels of victimisation amongst those the levels of homelessness experiencing homelessness became a focus to a record high and shines a light on the of research. existence of a housing crisis in Britain. I got my hands on a copy of the then The extent is reflected in statistics recently published text: ‘ Young Homeless rTecently released by the National Audit People And Urban Space ’ by Emma Jackson, Office. Since the Conservatives came into which was based on her study of government there has been a 60 per cent a day centre in London for young rise in households living in temporary homeless people. accommodation and a 134 per cent rise in I also came across an extremely rough sleepers. insightful blog written by Jon Kuhrt, who In the days and weeks that followed works with people affected by the Grenfell Tower disaster, there was homelessness, offending and addictions at considerable concern regarding what the West London Mission. would happen for those survivors whose Soon after I began to volunteer for homes had been destroyed. the evening shift at the Wednesday Club. Media reports highlighted that the For over 50 years, Hinde Street Methodist affluent borough of Kensington and church has opened its doors every Chelsea was already the worst in England Wednesday and serves meals to people for housing homeless people locally before who are homeless, or who feel a bit the disaster. Journalists documented how rootless in London. Some local businesses many evacuated families were forced to support by donating produce. spend days sleeping rough or in cars. As service users often highlight, it Clearly the government failed to provides a safe and friendly environment respond appropriately. for them. It is those who are relegated to the “This is a safe place and I don’t have margins of our society through inequalities The fire disaster at Grenfell Tower that in life. I can relax here. Everywhere that rarely have their voices heard and in London has come to symbolise else I go I experience harassment and feel their experiences recognised. the huge housing crisis in the UK like it’s kind of dangerous and like I need to We all have a name, a story, a journey be always on alert. Here, I can feel safe,” and a future. originally, shared the same distinctive one service user said. I moved from Belfast to London for a Northern Irish accent as me and knew of I also volunteer at the West London permanent job. Not knowing anyone in Annaclone, where I was brought up. “Small Mission’s night shelter, which involves 13 this expansive city, I initially experienced a world,” I said. Such an unfair world, I churches, a synagogue and a mosque deep sense of loneliness. thought. partnering together to provide The first person I shared a meal with Joe told me that he’d been homeless accommodation for rough sleepers for in London was a guy called Joe. He was for more than three months and that I was eight months of the year. sitting on top of his coat on a side street the first person he’d spoken to all week. One night shelter participant told me off Regent Street in central London. We In that moment, as we shared a packet how important the night shelter and had made eye contact and I’d said “hello” of sandwiches I’d been carrying, I thought support was in enabling him to obtain and passed comment on the weather. He about how vastly different our experiences employment. “I lost my job and a few had laughed. of London were turning out to be. weeks later when I had run out of money I Joe was also from Northern Ireland As we parted ways, Joe told me to came to the day centre. I was able to have VIEW, Issue 44, 2017 www.viewdigital.org Page 23

Above and right: A few of the people that Faith has met since she started to do voluntary work to help the homeless in London

Solutions need to be aimed at those who are experiencing social exclusion, inequality and homelessness

a shower, food and tickets to get to because there is such a scandalous lack of people, like Joe and I, originally from the interviews plus advice. The staff got me an affordable housing. Hostel beds and same country, experiencing life in a new ‘interview as a breakfast chef at a hotel. I spending on rough sleeping has declined at affluent city in two very different ways. was successful and I have been there ever the same time as rough sleeping has In front of the alarming statistics, since. I was very lucky to get a place in the rocketed. But the majority of our work there are an ever increasing number of night shelter. I could sleep there focuses on the practical level of actually new faces experiencing homelessness on comfortably which meant I could get a helping those who end up on the streets the streets. good night’s sleep before doing a full day’s back into accommodation. This can be a We need to open our eyes and we work. I ate evening food and breakfast plus long, hard road, especially for those who need to come together to collectively I could shower before work. After a few have become entrenched on the streets meet these challenges, on the ground and months I saved up enough money and I am and whose plight is worsened by addiction at the level of policymaking. now renting a small room.” and mental health issues. I am so proud Hope in action means campaigning When I recently interviewed Jon that we have helped 249 individuals off the and lobbying on the ground and at the Kuhrt, Chief Executive of the West London streets last year. This is hope in action.” level of policymaking. Importantly, any Mission, about homelessness in London, he The reality is the existing inequality solutions should be grounded in the needs said: “The fight against homelessness needs and the levels of social injustice are not and voices of those people who are to take place on a number of levels. There hidde’n problems but highly visible in experiencing the sharp end of the is the political level because this is London. It is the existing socio-economic continuum of social exclusion, inequality fundamentally an issue of social justice inequalities which ultimately results in two and homelessness. VIEW, Issue 44, 2017 www.viewdigital.org Page 24 ‘I lost two friends who died on the streets’

Hard times: Wayne Cross beside the Homeless Jesus sculpture, which is on a bench outside Centenary House in Victoria Street, Belfast Journalist Jane Hardy (left) talks to Wayne Cross about his battle with alcoholism, which led to him losing his job and his home and spending time living on the streets

ecoming institutionalised doesn't keep him in booze – two bottles of vodka After a stint in Cuan Mhuire, Newry, necessarily involve buildings. The and two cheap bottles of QC wine a day. Wayne returned to the hostel and is about homeless can also become institu - He said, in his view, giving money to beg - to move to a housing executive house in tBionalised, used to if not comfortable with gars with drug habits exacerbated the Rathfriland. the routine of life on the streets. problem. In 2016 the Northern Ireland Housing Wayne Cross (32), former alcoholic His back story indicates how easy it is Executive estimated the number of "en - and resident of the Salvation Army's Belfast to drop out of the system. Wayne was a trenched" rough sleepers in Belfast as 42, homeless hostel Centenary House, said it's care assistant but he started drinking when although charities report a bigger problem. a significant problem. Over eight years as a his mother died. "That was 11 years ago. I There are 103 beds at Centenary House rough sleeper, he realised what was hap - bought a house with my inheritance but yet only one was available the day I visited. pening. "I was institutionalised, I think, the lost it through drinking." He also lost his Stephen Potter, assistant regional streets were my home. It's very hard to job and started his career on the streets. manager of the Salvation Army's homeless get off the streets and when I first came The solution to institutionalised services in Ireland, said helping people here I had to sleep on the floor." He added homelessness is more complex than the takes more than a room. "Sociologists that about 30 per cent of the rough sleep - offer of a bed. Wayne said other things refer to structure and agency and you have ers he knew in central Belfast were simi - were needed to ease people from life on to address both. Dynamics like poverty larly becoming used to being outsiders in the streets to life in a hostel or house. and access to accommodation can oppress their own town. "There should be more active outreach people and someone in that situation may As a homeless man in Belfast city cen - and there should be more public toilets as turn to drink or drugs. The Salvation Army tre, he sensed a rhythm to street life. they're often being used by people to in - did research asking people when they "There wasn't exactly a routine. I slept ject heroin." In terms of washing, Wayne were most happy. People answered by say - mainly in the doorway of MacDonald’s in said bluntly: "You aren't clean." ing when they had a sense of purpose and Royal Avenue in my sleeping bag from nine He has been in and out of the Salva - were connected." o'clock. You'd wake up early, feeling dozy, tion Army hostel five times but this time So support is needed for addiction, then head to Tesco's opposite for the first was different. "I lost two friends who died mental health and with navigating a way bottle of vodka." on the streets, I'd had 10 convictions, all through (and out of) the world of By begging, Wayne earned enough to for alcohol, and decided to try rehab." homelessness. VIEW, Issue 44, 2017 www.viewdigital.org Page 25

Fionnuala Kennedy is currently working on a new play which will have a housing-related theme, and (inset) when she featured in the VIEW issue on homelessness in 2014 A voice for the dispossessed Playwright Fionnuala Kennedy tells VIEW editor Brian Pelan that everything for her boils down to looking at the issue of inequality lot has changed for Belfast many more plays, but laughed when she own situation but I’m aware that there are playwright Fionnuala Kennedy since confessed that none of them have been as so many other people who are she featured in the VIEW issue on successful as it. experiencing homelessness who do not hAomelessness in 2014. “I am specifically interested in plays have a voice. In the article, ‘ Rebel with a cause ’ she about people. In the arts and wider society, “As part of the work on my play, I will talked about her play ‘ Hostel ’ and how it we have a responsibility to talk about be carrying out interviews with housing was based on a time in her life when, along things which are really important rather staff and also talking to people who are with her daughter, she had to live in than turning a blind eye to what is experiencing or have experience sheltered accommodation after she found happening around us. homelessness in their lives. herself homeless. “We need to talk about housing “We are in a housing crisis at the Fionnuala and I met for coffee equality, gender equality, and sexual abuse moment and we need to be talking about recently in the comfortable surroundings which is a massive thing at the moment. it. I think that the Northern Ireland of the Mac in Belfast. She said her “Everything for me boils down Housing Executive needs to start building experience of homelessness had occurred to inequality. houses again. I think it is wrong that they a long time ago and she most certainly “My last play was about welfare are not doing this and we should all be never regarded herself as a victim. reform which is about inequality. Some very worried about it.” “I had to go and live in a hostel if I people say: ‘Just get a job’. But what I think My final question to Fionnuala was ever wanted to have a chance of getting a is that if you are born into a place of what does having her own home mean to permanent home. I’m delighted though privilege it is so much easier to get her. “It represents safety, comfort, peace, that ‘ Hostel ’ – which is still being employment. Your parents may have sent and stability,” she replied. “You cannot build performed – has done so well.” you to after-school clubs. You were a life when you are living temporarily, mov - She took the opportunity of the supported and given opportunities. But it’s ing from place to place.” interview to hit out at the label of quite clear that we do not have equality My impression of Fionnuala is that ‘homeless people’. of opportunity.” whilst she has stability in her own life she “It’s so dangerous to box people off Fionnuala is currently working on a is still very much a rebel with a cause and by using this phrase. She prefers to new play which will have a housing-related has a lot more to say about inequality. describe them as ‘people who happen to theme. “I worry that there are other I’m convinced that her pen will do the be homeless’.” experiences about homelessness which are talking even it makes some people and Since ‘ Hostel ’,she has gone on to write not been talked about. I can talk about my organisations feel uncomfortable. VIEW, Issue 44, 2017 www.viewdigital.org Page 26

Kylie Noble reports on the campaign to provide sanitary towels to homeless women in Belfast alk through Belfast city centre, heard about the period poverty campaign The volunteers take around five days as dusk falls, and you’ll in England, over a year ago. out of their time each month to empty encounter what seems to be an She contacted food banks and hostels collection bins, make up the period-care Wever-growing number of homeless people. in Belfast and found out that they lacked packs and do deliveries. Women accounted for 3,546 of those sanitary items. She then got several friends The Homeless Period needs yearly reporting themselves as homeless last year, involved in her work. donations of sanitary towels, tampons, new according to figures from the Northern "Everyone thinks about donating food underwear, liners, wipes and hand sanitiser. Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. and clothes, but women, especially those For those women who have reached sleeping rough, often find themselves in • The Homeless Period group the most acute level of homelessness, and difficult situations where they have to can be found on Facebook at are sleeping on the streets, there exists an choose between buying food or buying www.facebook.com/thehome - increased risk of sexual assault or rape and sanitary products,” said Katrina. lessperiod/ for those pre-menopause, the challenges of She said the lack of proper sanitary • Public donation bins can be managing periods. items can lead to serious health found at Queen’s University Twenty-four-year-old Katrina implications. “Some women are forced to Students’ Union, Michele McDonnell, founded The Homeless Period used ripped up cloths, old socks or toilet International Hairdressers in Belfast, a volunteer-run project that takes roll from public toilets, or make a few Belfast, Oh Yeah music centre, donations of sanitary items which are tampons last the entire length of their Framewerk art gallery, Women’s distributed to various organisations and period. This can lead to infections, Resource and Development locations across the city. so it doesn’t just have an emotional Agency, Kennedy Centre in west Katrina had already done some impact but is also a danger to women’s Belfast and WOMENSTEC in volunteer work in homelessness, when she physical health.” north Belfast VIEW, Issue 44, 2017 www.viewdigital.org Page 27 COMMENT

Why we must listen to women’s fears

Kelly Andrews, Chief Executive of Belfast & Lisburn Women’s Aid, says the lack of affordable housing means that many women and their children are forced to choose between abuse at home or life on the streets hen a woman leaves an abusive community partners to help woman relationship, she often has navigate housing services, legal services, nowhere to go. This is medical or social welfare support. By pWarticularly true of women with few empowering women they are better able resources. Lack of affordable housing and to protect themselves and their children, long waiting lists for social housing mean enabling them to sustain tenancies. that many women and their children are Women’s Aid has child workers who forced to choose between abuse at home Unfortunately support children and young people deal or life on the streets. What does this mean with their experience of domestic for women in Northern Ireland? we live in a violence. Not all women who engage in Between the period April 1, 2016 to Women’s Aid services may take up to do a March 31, 2017 the Police Service of society were programme such as ‘Journey to Freedom’, Northern Ireland recorded 29,166 however most do. Our one to one and incidents of domestic violence, 13,933 crisis group work with women can take up to recorded domestic crimes and three 14 sessions. murders. Women’s Aid Refuges are domestic In Belfast and Lisburn Women’s Aid frequently filled to capacity and must turn most women stay in refuge for four to six aw1ay women and their children. days, followed by one to two weeks as the The relationship between domestic violence next highest length of stay. violence and homelessness is complex, as However, we do have some women it’s often underpinned by a range of factors accommodation and children who are in our refuge for such as gender inequality, socio-economic over six months. This is due to lack of disadvantage, mental ill health as is needed available social housing or women being well as poor access to income support ‘’ unable to access the private rental market. and housing. Women’s Aid Refuge Services are for crisis Although domestic violence occurs in accommodation, it is not a housing same-sex relationships and can happen to solution. We want to work with the men, the overwhelming number of victims Housing Executive to move women and are women (at the hands of a male their children out of refuge while maintain - partner/family member). For some women ing appropriate support services. they come to refuge for safely as a it harder to rent, and in other cases The Homelessness Strategy for dangerous perpetrator may know where women have to leave quickly and simply Northern Ireland 2017-2022 aims to carry else she may turn to for shelter. don’t have time to prepare. Many women out a review of temporary accommodation Not all women who experience who experience domestic violence are not and link this to the Supporting People domestic violence will become homeless. ‘houseless’, they have houses, but they can’t Review. This is welcomed by Women’s Aid. Some have greater access to financial and be safe in them because the perpetrator Our services need investment. Our social resources, such as income and lives there too. refuges have full occupancies, heavy housing. Women who have fewer of these Women’s Aid offers specialised sup - turnover of women and children through resources are more likely to need help port services and work with women and the service. Women and children are from Women’s Aid refuges or other children who have experienced domestic accessing the service who have complex homelessness services, demonstrating how and sexual violence or abuse. As well as needs and we must have appropriate homelessness caused by domestic violence our Outreach/Floating Support Service, facilities and staff to support these is also underpinned by other issues such Women’s Aid provides crisis refuge vulnerable people. as poverty. accommodation where a woman, for her Investment in refuges has stagnated. If Many women experiencing domestic own safety or the safely of her children, we are to future proof the service for violence will have to get help from must leave her home. women and children then modernisation Women’s Aid or homelessness services This is a 24-hour service as domestic programmes are needed. because they lack the financial resources violence is not restricted to 9am to 5pm. While our outreach/floating support needed to secure housing. For example, a Women’s Aid staff can support and work services continue to grow. Unfortunately controlling partner may have withheld his with a woman to enhance self-esteem and we live in a society were crisis domestic partner’s access to finances and/or not confidence by exploring ‘What is domestic violence accommodation is needed. I can’t allow her to work outside the home, abuse?’ ‘The cycle of violence’, and ‘What is see this changing any time soon. We must therefore limiting her ability to secure an a healthy relationship? listen to women when they say they are income. Sometimes a woman may not have We offer court support and work fearful for their lives. The consequences are a credit history or bad credit, which makes with our statutory, voluntary and too great not to. VIEW, Issue 44, 2017 www.viewdigital.org Page 28

Stephen McNally: “When people see you are vulnerable they try and take advantage” ‘It was fight or flight mode’ Stephen McNally talks to Kelly McAllister about his time on the streets and how he managed to turn his life around t was the words “I used to come to dreams but eventually that turned into they try and take advantage.It was fight or places like this just for somewhere to more social events which then in turn led flight mode,” he told me. be, just for heat” which really hit home to alcohol. “After a while, his fear turned into aIs I sat opposite Stephen McNally in a cafe “My parents saw it coming. I was anger which he confessed that he fuelled in a bustling shopping centre. drinking two to three bottles of cider a with alcohol. Stephen then found himself in Stephen, who is 28 years of age and day. I would wake up in the morning and trouble with the police. an aspiring musician with a part-time job, drink the remains of the cider from “Better off in a jail cell than on the had a smile on his3 face as he spoke about the night before, then I would go and street where someone can hurt you. At his family, friends and ambitions for the get more.” least in there you get fed in the morning,” future but also how he once ended up After many requests from his parents he said. living on the streets. to change his behaviour, Stephen was During his time living on the streets, His story was grim. It all felt unreal, as finally asked to leave the house and very Stephen said he met many different kinds with his shopping bags at his feet he easily quickly he found himself homeless. of people who had ended up homeless. blended in with the other customers. “I was not dealing with any of my “Each of them had a very different story “I was in a relationship for a long time problems, I didn’t realise the severity regarding their journey and how they got that just wasn’t working. We both drank of them. I would try and find there,” he added. alcohol every day and we were both places to charge my phone when I was on “I began to wonder: who am I? How unemployed. Gradually the relationship fell the streets. But no one contacted do I fit into all of this? apart and I moved back in with my me anyway.” “It’s not just addiction,” he said. parents, I was still drinking heavily.” He found himself drifting from one “Mental health issues have a lot to do Stephen talked about how alcohol had sofa to the next, staying wherever he could with it.” a huge negative effect on his life, and along for the night. He tells me how he made Stephen added that he looked at his with the pressures of his break-up, he friends when other people, who were also time on the streets as a blur with no set freely confessed that at that point in homeless, noticed him alone in the city timeline of events. his life he found it hard to have a centre every day. I asked him did he now realise how positive outlook. “But eventually fear takes over, I didn’t serious his situation was. He began meeting with different want to be in that environment. “Definitely... I know that I have every - musicians and moving forward with his “When people see you are vulnerable thing to lose now.” VIEW, Issue 44, 2017 www.viewdigital.org Page 29 14 shocking facts about the homelessness crisis in the United Kingdom

• More than 4,000 people are sleeping rough on our streets •.The need for social housing is now vastly outstripping supply with 1.24 million households on local authority waiting lists

• Over the last seven years the number of people sleeping on the streets has risen by over 130 per cent with 1,768 known to have been sleeping rough in 2010 and 4,134 in 2016 • Across the UK three million working families are just one paycheck away from losing their home, with one in three working families in England not able to afford to pay their rent or mortgage for more than a month if they lost their job

• Every year more than 150,000 young people across the UK ask for help with homelessness • Although homeless people are considered as a priority to be rehoused, there are currently over a million people on waiting lists for social housing

• In the next hour, across the UK, another six families will become homeless, and tomorrow over 100 families will become homeless • 8,900 people are estimated to be sleeping in tents, cars and public transport in the UK

• 15 per cent of prisoners reported being homeless before custody (including nine per cent sleeping rough) compared to 3.5 per cent of the general population having ever been homeless • More than three-quarters of prisoners (79 per cent) who reported being homeless before custody were reconvicted in the first year after release, compared with less than half (47 per cent) of those who did not report being homeless before custody

• Three-fifths (60 per cent) of prisoners believed that having a place to live was important in stopping them from reoffending in the future • 1,856 rough sleepers have experience of serving time in prison

•. A study found that prisoners who had stable accommodation when leaving prison were 20 per cent less likely to reoffend • One in six prisoners report being homeless before they are taken into custody VIEW, Issue 44, 2017 www.viewdigital.org Page 30

LGBTIQ homelessness:

Aeo pleg whor ideontify aws Lesbiain, Gnay, gt orsp”, andr theo needb to wlorke togem ther. ipnreven t pEeople uwho irdentoify as pLGBTe IQ Bisexual, Trans-gender, Intersex or Jama Shelton, the chief strategist for from becoming homeless. Queer (LGBTIQ) are paradoxically the True Colours Fund, profiles the nature A similar picture has developed in bPoth over-represented and of LGBTIQ homelessness in the United Spain. While there is no specific research under-reported in the homeless sector. States. The consequences of homelessness that highlights the risk of LBGTIQ The existing data is patchy at best but for the LGBTIQ community, when community to homelessness, it is a in general, we see in the US, Canada, and compared to heterosexual and cisgender growing problem. Feedback from the the UK that 20 to 40 per cent of homeless people, can be more devastating. ground and frontline services is the issue is youth identify as LGBTIQ. We also know LGBTIQ homeless are likely to growing, and similar to the United States, from the limited research that is available remain homeless for a longer period and Netherlands, Canada and many other that homeless LGBTIQ are more likely to to be exploited and become involved in countries to combat this issue avoid homeless services and sleep rough criminal behaviour. If we want to invest in requires more data and research. and couch-surf, meaning the true extent successful interventions in combatting LGBTIQ homelessness may not be a is not being captured by homeless homelessness, they must be tailored to the visible form of homelessness and it is service providers. needs of the individual. A one size fits all certainly not clear to see in the way we This should give anyone working in approach doesn’t work. Services and staff structure and design services. The limited the homeless sector pause for thought. need to be inclusive. True Colours provides research out there clearly shows that Why are LGBTIQ people more an excellent example of how this can be LGBTIQ homeless engage in what we call at risk of losing their home and do we done. ‘hidden homelessness’, where they may not provide adequate responses and The Movisie (the Netherlands centre present to shelters and services, and in - support services? for social development) profiles the needs stead sleep rough in parks or stations or The autumn 2017 edition of of homeless youth in the Netherlands couch-surf for months at a time. FEANTSA’s Homeless in Europe highlighting issues with family break-up, ed - This makes it a problem that is easy magazine gives serious consideration to ucational attainment, support network, to ignore. But it is growing, and if we don’t these issues. traumatic experiences and poor mental invest in the collection of adequate data Eveyln Paradis, the Executive Director health. and research soon, we risk further socially with ILGA-Europe, writes about the expe - While research is difficult to come excluding an already marginalised riences of young LGBTIQ people who are across, this article from the Netherlands community. rendered homeless from family rejection, highlights why more research is needed to discrimination in searching for provide a better and more informed pic - • FEANTSA is the European accommodation and finding employment ture of what LGBTIQ homelessness looks Federation of National and the unfortunate gap that has arisen be - like, so we can implement services which Organisations Working with the tween “homeless actors” and “LGBTIQ ac - can serve to not only reduce but also Homeless. (www.feantsa.org/en) VIEW, Issue 44, 2017 www.viewdigital.org Page 31 And now for another thing

Anti-homeless spikes, which were aimed at preventing people from sleeping in public and private spaces

Columnist John Higgins argues that we have to reject some of the warped thinking about homelessness that has included some businesses installing blunted spikes to try and deter people from sleeping outside their premises hen I think about homelessness George, a stone in his pathway, an If they can claw back some crumb of my mind drifts back to two embarrassment to be ignored, if indeed he comfort with my quid then I’m happy. I things that seem forever could muster the human decency to feel don’t like to examine my motives, though, eWntwined by proximity and irony. In 1987 a embarrassed. It’s the kind of thinking that because I don’t particularly like my discarded match on a wooden escalator leads to businesses installing blunted spikes motives. There’s some pity in there, there’s led to the Kings Cross Fire in London outside their premises, or apparatus that some “there-but-for-the-grace-of God”. which killed 31 people. sprays water on people trying to sleep. There’s probably quite a lot of For 16 years one of these was known Somebody thought that would be throwing money at the problem and only as ‘115’ – the number given to his a good idea. Somebody bought it. hoping it goes away. body in the mortuary. Body 115 was Somebody manufactured it. Somebody I’m not proud, but I would rather be ultimately revealed to be 72-year-old designed it. giving money than not. Alexander Fallon, a Scot whose life had It’s a policy similar to the one I We live in a supposedly Christian unravelled after the death of his wife from maintain with my bank statements: if you society but I don’t recognise a lot of cancer. He had sold his house in Falkirk ignore it then it isn’t a problem. If it is Christianity in people’s attitudes to the and was living rough in London. That was happening somewhere else then it’s homeless. Christianity is a heavy presence why he was in Kings Cross that evening. not your responsibility. But it is when telling women the sorts of things Around the same time the former our responsibility. they should or shouldn’t be doing with Conservative Party chief whip Sir George Be warned: virtue signalling their bodies, or the gender of people Young allegedly joked that the homeless approaching. I quite often give money to you’re allowed to fall in love with, but Jesus “were the people you step over when the homeless (equally, and for balance, I in the Bible seemed to talk about loving you’re coming out of the opera”. quite often don’t give money to the home - one another and told parables about This may sound like the sort of callous less – I will use another cashpoint, I will helping the disenfranchised and needy. bon mot popped into the cat’s bum gob of cross the street). And I don’t care what That was, sort of, the point. In the Yes, Minister’s Sir Humphrey Appleby, but it they spend the money on. They can do future I’m going to try and do more about presents us with a very specific mindset what they like with it – good luck to them. the epidemic of homelessness. In future I’m and one I think is still prevalent: the We live in a cold, wet country, where going to try and act more like Jesus and homeless are an impediment to Sir benefits are falling and rents are spiralling. less like a Christian. Are you passionate about social justice? Contact VIEW editor Brian Pelan at [email protected] to find out how you can help grow our independent journalism vision