ALISON’S MISSION TO TACKLE HIDDEN HOMELESSNESS AMONG THE YOUNG
Action for Children’s Alison Kettyle and her team at Sperrin and Lakeland Floating Support Service are proud to provide a platform for young people struggling to find a home or coming out of the care system, as she tells Maureen Coleman.
Alison Kettyle can’t remember a time when sofa surfing or ‘hidden homelessness’ among young people was as critical an issue as it is now.
As service co-ordinator with Action for Children’s Sperrin and Lakeland Floating Support service, she is well placed to give an overview on the seriousness of the situation and the urgent need for more housing to be made available for young people who are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless or who have left or are leaving care.
The Co Fermanagh mum-of-two’s role sees her supervise a team of six floating support workers and a business support worker who offer a housing support and advice service to 16- to 25-year-olds who are dealing with homelessness or coming out of the care system. The team also provides emotional support and signposting on everything from finding a doctor or dentist to filling in application forms for benefits or jobs and Alison says each and every one plays a vital role in the collective approach to their work.
At present, Alison and her team are supporting 52 young people across Omagh and Fermanagh, helping some transition from the care system into the community and others who find themselves homeless for a myriad of reasons gain and sustain tenancy.
But with new builds at an all-time low, high rental prices in the private market and the increasing popularity of air b’n’b as a source of income for homeowners, Alison says it’s a challenging time.
“The situation is definitely at crisis point and we really need the Government to make changes in terms of resources and new houses being built,” says Alison.
“There is a lot of hidden homelessness going on with young people staying between friends and families and who don’t have a place to call home.
“We’re not just seeing fewer houses being built but also a lack of temporary accommodation. Years ago, if a young person presented as homeless, there would’ve been options in the local community to house them.
“If you’re a young person on a social housing list and you’re placed 80th or 100th, realistically you will never get a house, the way things are now.”
Alison referenced recent comments from Housing Executive Chief Executive Grainia Long, who said that between 2,000 to 3,000 social houses needed to be built every year to meet demand, not just for young people but for homelessness across the board.
The Lisbellaw woman pointed out that an added problem for young homeless in the areas covered by Sperrin and Lakeland Floating Support Service was the rural aspect and that sometimes, service users had to be placed in hostels in Belfast, stripping them off their local support network.
“It’s a real struggle and we can only do so much advocating on their behalf,” Alison says.
“What we often try and do is sustain them where they are, with family or friends, if that is possible.
“Action for Children has a crisis fund that provides a little bit of financial support for oil, electricity, food, but it’s a sticking plaster really.
“At the end of the day, these young people need a safe, stable home. If they don’t get this, often the situation can deteriorate.”
Alison, who has worked with the charity since 2017, said earlier intervention was sometimes successful in preventing a young person becoming homeless. She said in cases where relationships at home were strained, the support team could work with both young person and family on how to sustain healthier relationships to enable the young person to remain at home.
“If a situation is sustainable, we can work with this rather than let it get to crisis point,” she says.
“Homelessness can impact on so many things like mental and physical health, so it’s best to get that support early before things escalate.
“Unless resources are available though, the situation won’t change.”
A former floating support worker herself, Alison says there are many reasons young people might find themselves homeless – mental health issues, identity issues that have led to a breakdown of relationships with parents, neglect. Young people in care are deemed adults at 18 and must leave the system, adding their names to the growing waiting lists.
While her role can be challenging and frustrating, Alison, who worked with young people with learning disabilities in Manchester before moving into the education system and finally Action for Children, says she is proud to be a voice for young people needing support.
“We just want our young people to be given a chance, and I love that we get to advocate on their behalf,” she says.
Married to Gary and with two young children, Will (3) and one-year-old Ivy, Alison says she loves her job and is constantly amazed by the resilience of the young people she and her team help support.
“Our service is voluntary so it’s wonderful when these young people engage with us and allow us to advocate for them to get the best outcome,” she says.
“Sometimes the young person will disengage if they’re not really ready but nine times out of 10 they end up coming back, which shows the quality of support that we’re offering.
“I am lucky to work with such an experienced team who do an amazing job for these young people.”
