Living Amicably together in caring homes 1 The LATCH Project Living Amicably together in caring homes

2 Bromley Churches’ Housing Action is a registered charity set up in 1988 to work for the relief of poverty among homeless young people in the London Borough of Bromley. The LATCH project was set up to find accommodation for homeless youngsters between 18 to 25. We are evolving and offering housing advice to homeless persons outside our core age bracket. WHO?

3 We do this because homelessness in young people is a huge problem . if LATCH ceases to function, there is no alternative agency to which its clients can turn to for help. Under Housing Act a duty is not owed to those aged between 18 to 25. The services at LATCH can be the help they need to set them on the right path to independent living. WHY?

4 By making use of spare rooms in the homes of ordinary householders. By giving homeless young people a support base from which they can make a fresh start and become valuable members of the community. Householders are paid £94.27 per week for their spare room HOW?

5 Fatou’s story My name is Fatou and I am one of the lucky young people who had the chance to be supported and helped by LATCH back in 2012. I once had a happy family, living with them and doing everything that a family would do until I was thrown out of the family home by step-mother in November 2012… LATCH project was the best thing to happen to me, not because of the fact that they gave me a home but because they gave me the confidence to look at the brighter side of life and gave me the determination to pursue my dream. I don’t know what would have happened if I didn’t get help from LATCH. Today I have a job as a carer as well as studying at university. Looking back this couldn’t have happened without LATCH. I could have dropped out of college and ended up on the streets as many others who didn’t get the chance that I had. Thanks to LATCH I have the life I dreamt of and more. Nothing can repay what LATCH and Jackie did for me and I will always be grateful to LATCH.

Impact Facts 2015 159 people used our advice service last year - 66 were female Placed 18 young people with host families Organised 33 mentoring sessions Increase in referrals up by 52% in 2015 28 Referrals to other Agencies or Hostels 8 young people moved onto Independent Living Home Starter Packs given to our LATCH clients with the help of Big Lottery Home Starter Packs given to 30 Penge Churches HA Tenants and a number to Keniston HA

Impact 2016 – Adapting to change This year 148 people have used our services to date, 44 of which were advice cases for the over 25’s Liaise with the Citizens Advice Bureau and Foodbank Links with local schools e.g. Newstead Wood Girls, St. Philomena Catholic Primary, Bishop Challoner. National Citizenship Challenge. On-site Housing Surgeries at Bromley College. Working with Bromley Homeless Shelter Looking for innovative ways to secure funding e.g. Creating a Legacy Scheme

Examples of enquiries 2016 Placing 1 young person with a host family and a further 2 are awaiting references Successfully referred an 81 year old facing eviction (with poor English) to Housing Registers Team Assisted a 76 year old in completing his application to Housing Registers Team. After a lengthy procedure and advice from Shelter Legal Team (26 year old pregnant referral) resulted in temporary accommodation being provided by LBB. Supported 58 year old ex-convict to secure a hostel place and provided support after placement Referred a 24 year old ex-convict to a charity that offers mentoring to ex-convicts and he was then referred to Mind to attend suitable activities Benefits office re-instated benefits following a letter from LATCH to the client’s local MP. The Client (a mother) had to give up work to look after her seriously ill child.

How you can help Become a Host Become a Trustee/Treasurer Advertise for Trustees and Hosts in your Church Become part of the Fundraising Team Appointing LATCH as your Charity of the Year – We are happy to tell your congregation about the project and its impact. Email Sarah@LATCH-Project.co.uk Sign-up for regular Newsletters Donate on our website www.latch-project.co.uk

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