Home comfort for troubled families

A LACK of available housing has prompted council chiefs to urge parents to continue to provide a roof over their children’s heads when they turn 16.

And an Oldham Council-funded service is available to help improve life for parents and teenagers who are experiencing problems at home.

Oldham Reconnect, operated by Depaul UK, is a family mediation service for parents and young people aged 15 to 25.

Since its launch in April, 2007, 430 young people and their families have received help, support and advice.

The main cause of homelessness is family breakdown and Oldham Reconnect has prevented 176 young people becoming homeless by helping them to resolve problems at home.

Some parents believe their children should leave home at 16 — but the council says the best place for the majority of young people is with their family. It says as well as making financial sense, staying at home is often the best option in terms of a young person’s health, happiness, safety, security and education and employment.

There are around 6,000 households on the council’s housing register as less than 10 one-bedroom social rented flats suitable for young people become available for rent each week in Oldham.

Around 70 per cent of tenancies granted to 16-year-olds break down within the first year, many flats have age restrictions and are only available for over-25s and the average rent for a one-bed social rented flat is £56 per week with the amount of Housing Benefit under 25s can claim limited to around £58.

Other financial restrictions include the scrapping of Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA).

Councillor Hugh McDonald said: “Years ago, work was easy to find and many young people left home at 16. However, the situation in 2011 is very different and it is a lot harder for young people setting out on their own.

Cheap rented accommodation is hard to come by, there are far fewer jobs and demand for social rented housing has never been higher.”

To speak to a family mediator, call 0161-621 9433 or 07811 451648, or email oldham.reconnect@depauluk.org.

If you have a spare room in your home and would like to help a young homeless person get back on their feet, you could become an Oldham Nightstop volunteer, providing emergency, overnight accommodation for homeless 16 to 25-yearolds. Call 0845 602 2509 or email support@fcho.co.uk.