Receiving accommodation can be a long and tiring process for our guests, and the wait for a non-emergency council property can be indefinite and often takes years. Unfortunately, receiving accommodation is not where problems end either. Often people seem to be forgotten about once housed, as though all issues have been solved, but that’s not the case.
What people receive when being housed entirely depends on a number of circumstances, can vary, is often down to luck. It is not unheard of for someone to be housed in accommodation with no flooring, no furniture, and even in some cases with insect infestations.
People are still rough sleeping, just with a roof over their heads.
Things like rent and bills will not be fully covered by benefits in most cases, meaning very serious budgeting is necessary. This can lead to eating poorly, or not being able to afford an internet connection - something crucial to keeping in touch with Universal Credit and completing commitments set out. In winter it also means that people might have to refrain from using the heating, and with no flooring or furniture staying warm enough feels impossible.
Another issue people face that often goes unknown is experiencing deskilling. If someone has been in an environment with an enforced schedule or regimented routine, such as prison, the hospital, or the army, coming out of this environment could leave a person unable to regulate their own schedule. This can lead to some people being unable to cook and clean for themselves, knowing how to make appointments, or even get out of bed in the morning and shower. This can be detrimental to a person's mental health, and would damage someone's employability, meaning the issues that lead to becoming homeless in the first place are not resolved.
It is more often than not that people struggle after finding accommodation.
Experiencing homelessness means becoming a part of that community, but once you have somewhere to live, you lose that community, resulting in struggles with feelings of loneliness. Council house tenants that have been deemed vulnerable to losing their tenancy will receive help from STAR Workers, post homelessness. STAR stands for Supporting Tenants And Residents, and is a housing-related support service for people living in Leicester. STAR Workers can work with people from 3 months up to 2 years, visiting regularly. Another way that tenants can receive help is from Help Beyond Housing, who act as a support worker specific to substance misuse.
There are some cases where people will always need support, this could be because they struggle with learning difficulties, mental health issues, or trauma. In these circumstances The Lighthouse Project can help by working one on one with people to build confidence and self esteem, reduce isolation, and achieve goals. They can also help with more practical things, such as assisting people when it comes to filling out forms, and understanding any benefit or debt issues they may have. By joining The Lighthouse Group for weekly meetups people can begin to find a sense of community again.
Another service that offers help post homelessness is Charity Link, through which people can apply for high quality, reconditioned, white goods such as washing machines, cookers, fridges, freezers, and tumble driers. Find their service, called The Goods Depot, here.
Open Hands, another charity in Leicester, aims to meet the practical needs people have, which includes offering a low cost furniture scheme. The Furniture Service provides essential furniture items to people living in Leicester that have restricted or no financial needs, are unable to access furniture elsewhere, or live in a household that refuses to provide functional furniture.
While the efforts and organisation put towards helping people struggling post homelessness are valuable and admirable, the issue at hand grows more every year, creating a greater demand for services such as these.
The best way to help with this current and ongoing problem is to donate or volunteer to any or all of the organisations mentioned above, and help them cater better to the growing need for their services. Links to donate are listed below.
And for any other ways to help, sharing this blog to continue raising awareness of the hardships after homelessness can go a long way.
Thank you for reading.
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