Every year

Every year, some young people end up without a home. Everyone's situation is different, but the most common causes are:

• Thrown out by parents or carers
• Have to move and no-where else to go
• Run away after an argument
• Run away to escape abuse

If you have to leave home and aren't sure where you're going, you need to get the best advice right away.

Related topics: Running away, Parent Trouble, Protection from Abuse

In a Housing crisis?

If you are homeless or about to be homeless you can use the contacts below and the emergency contacts in the Directory to get assistance. If you are or have been in care, contact social and health care.

These contacts were last updated 21 October 2009

Age	District Council	Organization
Under 16	All	Social & Health Care 0845 050 7666
16/17	Cherwell	BYHP (01295) 259442 Housing Options Officer - (01295) 221809
	Oxford City	Emergency Temporary Accommodation - 01865 252859 (Monday-Friday 09:00-18:00) or 0800 833408 (outside office hours)
	South Oxfordshire	Housing needs - 01491 823000 or the Council's out-of hours number - 01491 823325
	Vale of White Horse	Housing Advice Team - (01235) 520202/0808 1001617
	West Oxfordshire	Housing Services - 01993 861010 or out of hours Social Services emergency service 0800 833408

The council has a duty to house you, but they will need to ask you lots of questions first. This is because they need to know about your situation so they can offer you the best help. The Council may be able to offer you:

• advice and assistance
• temporary accommodation
• help to find somewhere more permanent.

In Oxfordshire you cannot receive permanent housing from the council until you are age 18.

If you are 16 or 17 years old they will first place you in temporary accommodation, usually a B&B or hostel. From there you will be expected to move into supported housing. Because of the high demand for spaces this can take anything from days to months.

If you feel you have been unfairly refused help, and for help and support throughout the process, contact a housing advice centre (find them in the directory), a Youth Worker (find your local youth centre) or Connexions PA (find your local connexions access point).

• Key Link: www.shelter.org.uk
• Helpline: 0808 800 4444 (8am-8pm, Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm Sat-Sun)

Homeless

Most young people who have to leave home end up staying with a friend or relative. This is often a very difficult situation both for the young person, and for the person who is putting them up. Even if you have found somewhere to stay, you need to take positive steps to make the situation sustainable. This can be hard work, but housing groups like Banbury Young Homeless Project can help. Call Shelterline on 0808 800 4444 to find one near you.

Related topic: Housing on the cheap

Squatting is sometimes legal in some situations, but often uncomfortable, cold and dangerous, even for people who know what they are doing. People who squat report bad conditions, stress and police harassment. There is also a lot of moving around; three months is a long-lasting squat.

It is, though, better than sleeping rough.

Don't sleep rough. Plenty of organisations can help you avoid this. Check the Contacts or phone Shelterline to find an organisation that can help. If you absolutely feel you must:

• Keep warm Layer on clothes to keep warm, even in summer, and don't sleep directly on the ground. Your risk of getting exposure or hypothermia is high, especially if you are drinking or taking drugs.
• Keep your wits about you Rough sleepers are targets for assault and abuse, especially people new to being homeless, girls and young men.
• Keep looking for help At this point in time, nothing matters more than getting off the streets. Every night you spend away from home, your life expectancy is going down. Hit the advice centres and don't stop looking until you have found useful help.

Homelessness is bad for you. It's hard to keep relationships or stay healthy, and you run a big risk of health problems like depression and drug abuse. Aim to get out of it as soon as possible.

• Key Link: www.shelter.org.uk
• Helpline: 0808 800 4444. (8am-8pm, Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm Sat-Sun)

Experience: avoid homelessness

We spoke to a housing officer, someone who deals with homelessness. I was thinking hopefully they’ll help me. But the interview didn’t go well, they told me that they couldn’t help me because I didn’t meet their criteria. There weren’t funds for me to go back to the B+B, so I had to sleep in a tent. I never thought about sleeping rough, it doesn’t seem like a good situation to be in. - Ashley, 19