Robin attended the meeting and felt that it was a positive step forwards. Prior to going, the Project Z and Z House teams (our youth projects) collected questions and comments from the young people who access them. He was also able to directly ask Florence the following:

What is the Government's commitment to taking youth homelessness much further upstream to be able to call it true homelessness prevention? This, whilst improving options and provision for those that do become homeless.

What can the Government do to monitor the misuse of the Housing Reduction Act in order to help young people, rather than it being weaponised as a gate keeping tool?

How can we ensure that the upcoming Supported Housing Regulations are implemented in a way that doesn't scare potential providers into offering property?

Influencing the Housing Select Committee

Florence committed to taking these questions, and others, and various points made to the Housing Select Committee, which was due to take place later on in the day from the meeting. 

During the meeting, attendees were asked to pose one question collectively that will be asked to the prime minister. Robin says, “Our question was essentially asking that given there is some brilliant legislation recognising 18-24 year olds in new DWP, Home Office and Care Leavers Strategies, what is he (The prime minister) going to do to ensure that this cohort is directly recognised in the upcoming Housing Strategy?” He adds, “We have also been invited to write to Florence who will pass on thoughts to Angela Raynor MP.”

Questions from young people

Robin also delivered the questions and comments made by our young people directly to the MP, and confirms that they were read, and kept by her for reference. These included:

“[We need a] quicker waiting list for young people.”

“Listen to young people if they seem in need for immediate housing.”

“It was very hard to find a place for trans / LGBTQ+ young people without getting picked and bullied. I am a proud trans woman. I was put in an all-men’s hostel. I was very scared. Please don’t let another trans / LGBTQ+ young person (have to go) through this. We all need somewhere to call home.”

“Will the government fund more self-contained accommodation for people like me? (An autistic individual who had to flee home due to domestic abuse).”

“How will the government fix the issues of a lack of organisations like 1625 Independent People and Caring in Bristol?”

"Lack of money has been a massive problem. Not enough Universal Credit. Lack of options for housing, cost-of-living – it’s a problem and is making everyone worse off.”

Making a point to the heart of government

Following the meeting, we found that Florence had posed the following question to the deputy prime minister (Angela Raynor MP):

"This afternoon, I visited Centrepoint, where I spoke to young people in self-contained flats and met staff who are working to support those young people. The Secretary of State will be aware that a coalition of 150 charities supporting young people are calling for a specific youth-focused section in the ending homelessness strategy; estimates show that would save £8.5 billion a year. Does the Minister agree that it is not only morally right but economically smart to have a youth-specific chapter in that new strategy?”

Working together in the sector is a powerful way of getting the government to listen, and pushing (with determination) for the change that we know is needed.

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Read about our youth services (provided by our youth practitioners, and emergency night shelter): Youth Services at Caring in Bristol