Homelessness charity warns of bed blocking crisis
We're investigating the issues preventing people returning to independent living after being homeless
We're investigating bed blocking within support for the homeless as a Salisbury-based charity is warning of a growing bed blocking crisis in its assisted living accommodations.
Veterans Darren Robinson, Sean Davidson and Heather Phillips are all staying with Alabaré in Gosport and are ready to make the next step in their recovery and return to independent living.
But the charity says a lack of suitable and available housing is holding them back, which is causing a blockage in the system and preventing others from accessing the help they need.
Alabaré CEO, Andrew Lord, said the charity is finding the traditional pathway, which will see a person progress from living in a hostel, to low support accommodation and then independence, is failing because of the housing crisis.
"The issue is if the low support accommodation or the permanent accommodation is not available, people are held in the wrong part of the housing pathway and that means they stay too long in accommodation when they're ready to move on," he said.
He added that the delay in people gaining that independence can lead to some of the work addressing their issues coming undone.
"My message to government is help us, help charities, help other organisations, develop that housing pathway so that we can move people on quickly so we don't have bed blocking," Mr Lord said.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated he wants to build more council homes and end rough sleeping in the UK, with the Labour Government setting out to build 1.5 million new homes during the current parliament, with an overhaul of the planning system, reintroducing mandatory local targets and promoting new town developments.
The Government's most recent homelessness snapshot found almost 4,800 people are sleeping rough on any given night.
Endless waiting lists
Darren, Sean and Heather told us of their frustrations with different parts of the system which are preventing them from taking the next step.
Sean served in the Navy before working in the prison system and became homeless after becoming dependent on alcohol, following being made redundant.
He told us he's on four different lists trying to get a home. He said he got to as high as fourth on a list, before missing out on a potential property.
"On some of them, I'm 130 on the list. It's just frustrating," he said.
He described the supported housing provided by Alabaré as "a saving grace": "The fact that we've got somewhere here that we can stay for two years, but on the other side of the corner, I don't want to rely on that. I want my own space."
Darren, who also served in the Navy, faced homelessness after a breakdown in a relationship and alcohol issues that were related to a series of trauma's in his life.
He said that while there is no pressure for people to move on before their two years are complete, he acknowledged that there are others in need too.
"I feel guilty sometimes because I know there are hundreds of other veterans out there in worse situations than me who would love a place like this," he said.
He added that greater availability of housing would reduce his time with Alabaré meaning someone else can get the help they need and prepare for independent living again.
Darren echoed Sean's sentiments about the frustration of waiting to see if applications for homes had been successful.
"That is frustrating. You're 70 odd in the queue for a one bedroom flat somewhere and the chances of you getting that are really slim."
Few viable options
Heather told us that options are limited, with many private rentals beyond price ranges.
She became homeless after a marriage breakdown with her husband in Jamacia. Upon returning the England, she sofa surfed with friends for a few weeks before that became untenable.
When she presented as at risk of homelessness to her local authority, she was told there was nothing they could do for her as she'd only been in the country a few weeks.
She said the constant setbacks were eroding her confidence and said that finding the safe haven of Alabaré's support came when all hope seemed lost.
"I was at my wit's end, I was really desperate and I thought I was actually looking at what park am I going to live, not live, but what park am I going to sleep in or where would be safe enough for me to go to?"
Now that she's set a platform on which to rebuild, she's finding options are limited, or even unsuitable.
"I've been offered to go into a house that is for people in recovery and I'm not in recovery," she said. "I don't see that as being a legitimate option for me, as a professional person that's trying to get back on their feet and just wants to live a normal life."
Improve veteran support and market reforms
While the Government has set out to build more council houses under Andy Burnham, Darren and Sean called for better support and understanding of veterans.
They revealed the difficulty in having to keep explaining to different organisations about their pasts, which can be traumatic for them.
Darren said the Armed Forces Covenant, a national pledge to treat veterans and their families fairly, is a welcome step forward but they said the general public needed to improve its understanding of veterans, saying that perceptions that ex-service personnel get a "helping hand" getting things others might have to wait for is untrue.
While they don't want preferential treatment, they want it to be fair.
Earlier this year, the Government launched a £50 million scheme called Valour, with the aim of creating hubs across the country where veterans can access support services in a single location.
Heather told us that markets need to reflect the needs of single people.
"I would say that there needs to be a market for people like myself, single individuals, for single living, but not just that, people that can then have accommodation that they can invite their families to come and stay with them as well," she said. "It needs to help single people that don't come with dependents, that don't come with addiction or habits or disabilities, which I understand are a priority in themselves, but then that puts me to the back of the queue and where I'm then struggling to be able to live independently."