1 of 10: The right to move on

“If I get a job my benefits will mess up. I won’t be able to afford my rent, then what? I’m back on the streets.”

People told us that once they had transitioned out of their need for support and had secured employment they then couldn’t afford to live in supported accommodation, leaving them facing an uncertain future.

The current supported housing system combines charges for accommodation and support. This has been viewed as an efficient and successful way to fund housing associations and supported housing providers to deliver a holistic approach to working with ‘vulnerable adults’. However, for many of the people we spoke to, it also creates a perverse incentive.

For those who do get a job their options are limited to either trying to find alternative accommodation, giving up their job, or to ‘go undercover’ and not declare their employment – risking fines and possible eviction. Even when the finances and arrangements are in place, for some being labelled as ‘vulnerable’, moving accommodation and settling into a new job is not an ideal combination. People even reported being encouraged by staff not to work until they had paid off their rent arrears. Not only is this costly to the system but it also stops people from moving on with their lives.

Mayday’s Response

Mayday recommends an alternative model of accommodation and support, where accommodation charges Local Housing Allowance rates or affordable rents. This would mean people do not have to move when they are successful in gaining employment. Support is Person-led, Transitional and Strength-based and totally separate to accommodation. Importantly, people can continue to access the support when they move.

3 of 13 Over Medicalisation of Mental Health Issues

“That’s just what I need. More pills and someone to talk to about why I feel crazy. You would too if you slept in a tiny room next to someone screaming all night.”

Significant numbers of people talked of being prescribed drugs for depression, anxiety or bipolar disorders, when in reality, their emotional distress was related to their homelessness, isolation and abuse from people around them.

Many people were referred to mental health services and community psychiatric teams due to behaviour that was later identified as post-traumatic stress. Suicidal thoughts or attempts were often a result of events in the past or their circumstances – for example, living in unsuitable housing where they were intimidated or didn’t feel safe.

Many people became defined by their ‘mental health’ diagnosis. This acted as a barrier to moving from their homeless situation and led them to be institutionalised into the system.

We took action

In many situations, we changed the focus of our conversations to ask ‘what happened to you?’ not ‘what’s wrong with you?’. We aim to identify whether mental health issues and emotional distress are the reasons why people are homeless or if they are a symptom of their situation. This allows support to be tailored to the individual and informs whether solutions are medical or whether alternative options are more appropriate.

The PTS provides a range of options, choices and information to promote healthy, mental and emotional wellbeing

Introduction to Wisdom from Behind Closed Doors

Based on our experience of working with people from all backgrounds and providing accommodation in challenging circumstances, we wanted to know about their experiences and how they feel about the services and accommodation they have received. Wisdom from Behind Closed Doors is based on 80+ conversations with people who are housed in temporary or supported accommodation, as well as people who are sleeping rough and sofa-surfing.

People told us that they wanted a home where they could feel safe and secure, where they would receive a warm welcome; where they could just get on with their lives.

People moving into accommodation didn’t want to feel labelled, stigmatised or that they had to prove themselves in order to remain. What they want is to start rebuilding a sense of purpose and value to their lives. People want to stay somewhere with a decent standard of accommodation which supports them to access education or work. People told us that they wanted a place where they can make friends and maintain contact with their family. People want the assurance of knowing what to expect from their landlord, including how long they can stay, and what their responsibilities are within the accommodation. Like any tenant, people want access to a feedback and complaints process when the accommodation is not up to standard or things aren’t going well.

“I did two years in prison and now I’m doing two years here. They say I got sentenced for two years, but in reality it’s four.”