SHP Strategic Report DIGITAL - Flipbook - Page 13
Strategy 2021-2026 13
12 Single Homeless Project
Young people
The pandemic has been disproportionately tough on young people in
terms of the social impact. Young workers were particularly hard hit
with the loss of jobs in retail and hospitality and the temporary closure
of education facilities widened attainment gaps. Poor mental health
as well as family and relationship breakdowns increased and social
distancing meant many more of those who had been sofa surfing were
faced with no choice but to sleep rough on our capital’s streets than
ever before. A critical lack of youth-specific affordable housing in London
combined with restrictions in the benefits system has exacerbated
all of this. These impacts will be felt for years to come.
When a young person has nowhere to call
home, it has a significant and long-term
impact on their future, affecting mental and
physical health, disrupting education and
employment prospects and increasing a risk
of exploitation and abuse. Every young person
deserves a place to call home and the right
support and opportunities so that they can
flourish and achieve their potential.
What we will do
• Subject to a financial viability review,
increase the number of bedspaces for
spot purchased schemes, particularly in
south and east London, working closely
with councils to intervene quickly
• Embed a therapeutic offer within our
youth schemes to help young people
work through traumas and transition into
adulthood successfully, including offering
an activity programme and employment
offer at each of our sites
We help young people by providing safe,
welcoming places to stay, support into
employment and education and therapy
to address trauma, poor mental health,
substance misuse and other vulnerabilities.
We also work hard to help Looked After
Children (Children under 18 who are unable
to live with their families) who face an abrupt
transition to adult services at 18 to access the
services, accommodation and support they
are entitled to from their local authority.
• Incorporate our approach to
working with young people
within a published ‘Our Way of
Working’ framework, and seeking
external evaluation and accreditation
of our services
• Publish an impact report alongside
our way of working, promoting our
youth offer to ensure we are the
‘go to’ service for Children and
Families Commissioners
Homelessness
prevention
Although rough sleeping is the most
visible form of homelessness, far
more people experience ‘hidden
homelessness’. Pushed to the brink,
these are people sleeping on the
sofas of family and friends, living in
cars and squats or other temporary
accommodation with no stability
or security. There are also significant
numbers of people who have their
own accommodation but are at risk
of homelessness.
By developing the right services and
intervening at an early stage, we can give
people the support they need to relieve the
pressure in their lives, get the support
they need and prevent homelessness.
What we will do
• Expand the Single Homeless
Prevention Service to more
London Boroughs
• Work with commissioners of
preventative services, ensuring
they target those most at risk
of imminent homelessness
• Complete and publish research
on hidden homelessness amongst
women and take forward
recommendations
• Develop innovative and targeted
approaches to reaching our clients
that build on our successes during
the pandemic