My friend has been homeless in london for about 6 months. During that time, he has slept at different friends houses, but most of the time, he has been sleeping in his car.
But now his car has been towed away because the tax disk has expired. He can't afford to pay to get it back because he is unemployed, and the car is soon to be destroyed along with all his belongings inside.
He does not want to be on the streets at christmas. What should he do? The local council wont help him get a flat, and he has no job to afford the rent for a room. He is only 24.
Any ideas, people?
2006-11-26 21:14:57 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Well, the local council most likely will not be in a position to help him get a flat - most people are initially housed in rooms in a hostel or a B&B, and getting their own flat comes way down the line, maybe years later.
He could approach voluntary sector organisations; there are a number that work with young people (which usually means under 25). Shelter, the homelessness charity, has a section of help for young people: http://england.shelter.org.uk/advice/advice-3962.cfm. Other charities that work with young homeless men include Centrepoint http://www.centrepoint.org.uk/ and the YMCA http://www.ymca.org.uk/ . Churches also often run shelters and hostels for the homeless, particularly around Christmas time.
If your friend is particularly vulnerable in any way - for example, if he is a drug or alcohol user, an offender, disabled, or has mental health or learning difficulties, he may be entitled to more help than your average single man.
Shelter run an advice line (0808 800 4444) and an online directory of housing advice centres. It can be quite difficult to get through on the number, as it's meant for emergencies, and sadly a lot of people have housing crises at any one time. Or your friend could go back to the council and explain that he is now in a worse position than before. If he is given a room, either by the council or a voluntary organisation, he can claim housing benefit and JSA.
2006-11-27 05:42:29 · answer #1 · answered by purplepadma 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the way things are going here i`ll be joining him soon! no joke! to think there are over 1,000,000 properties empty in this country makes me angry. i was told i can`t go on a council list because my dad owns this property. i`ll have to go on a list for approx 2 years once he dies before i go on the housing waiting list which is between a 11 and 15 year wait! although my dads house is clean there are a lot of repairs that need to be done plus the roof is illegal (asbestos) the wiring is out dated and the inner walls have to be plasterboard because these houses that i live in were temporary council houses built just after ww2 and were built very cheaply. i wouldn`t mind but i`m told that each carer that is a relative saves the nhs and the government around £1,000,000 a year. wen i`m done i`ll just be chucked on the scrapheap like most other carers. great!
2006-11-27 00:24:07 · answer #2 · answered by graham f 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is certainly an indictment on our society when this happens and the authorities say they can't help. They have a duty of care.
Even if he losses his car he is entitled to remove his personal belongings from the vehicle prior to its destruction.
Take him to the CAB for advice. There may be a hostel he can go to or a B&B that will take him on benefits. The CAB will have a list.
Very best of luck.
2006-11-26 23:31:43 · answer #3 · answered by LYN W 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You guys are all heart!
Tell him to go to Centrepoint as they open up to the homeless at Christmas, they will also help him get his life together and move toward rebuilding it.
Bless you for standing by him.
2006-11-26 21:24:12 · answer #4 · answered by voodoobluesman 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
take him to the cab where they will give him housing advice! im sure the council is wrong there, i know someone who was in the same situation and he got a flat?
2006-11-26 23:04:50 · answer #5 · answered by button moon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What about the military?? That would cure his homelessness, give him job skills, and get a roof over his head.
2006-11-26 21:26:25 · answer #6 · answered by mlrios2003 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm, get a damn job and quit being a dreg of humanity. I see homeless people on the TV all the time, living in boxes and dumpsters, and you know what? They are always shown smoking! Homeless, hungry, cold, but they got cigarettes, ALWAYS!!! Those things are not cheap! At 24 your friend is a turd in a "no turd zone". Get a job.
2006-11-26 21:54:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
I'm not sure of your living arrangements but maybe you could help your friend out?
2006-11-26 21:17:42 · answer #8 · answered by Jason 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
TELL HIM TO GO TO SOCIAL SERVICES THEY MAY BE ABLE TO PUT HIM IN TOUCH WITH SOME HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS.
2006-11-26 21:54:05 · answer #9 · answered by aunty m 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a job... Do anything...
2006-11-26 21:17:56 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋