This section contains a range of information concerning accommodation:
Emergency accommodation...
Types of accommodation...
Looking after your new home...
Floating support...
Who do I contact?
You may not realise that you don’t have to be living on the streets to be classed as homeless. You can be staying with friends, living in a hostel or in temporary accommodation. If it is not a permanent roof over your head then you are considered homeless.
If you find yourself homeless through no fault of your own there may be help available for you.
The rules of entitlement to emergency accommodation and assistance vary depending upon your circumstances.
Contact the Council first to see if they can help you but they do not always have to offer you assistance. Please read below to find out if you qualify for emergency help.
The Council has limited accommodation so in order for them to assist you with housing you will usually need to be considered as homeless and in priority need . These priorities include:
• If you are pregnant
• If you have dependent children
• If you are 16 or 17
• If you are a care leaver
• If you are homeless due to fire or flood
There may be other circumstances where the Council will accept you as homeless. These include:
• You have a physical or mental illness
• You had to leave home because of violence
• You have a history of offending
• You are under 25 and have experienced homelessness in the past
If you are unsure whether the council will help you or not, use the link below to take a quick assessment of your circumstances:
http://england.shelter.org.uk/advice/advice-3302.cfm
As a new initiative, the Council may assist you by referring you to a host in the NightStop MK scheme. NightStop MK is emergency accommodation offered to you in the form of living in the home of a host, or host family. This is instead of emergency Bed & Breakfast accommodation that used to be offered. This scheme will be up and running by July 2008. For more information call the Nightstop Coordinator on 01908 253051 or Milton Keynes Councils Housing Options team on 01908 253481. This is emergency accommodation only, available for a period of between 1 - 28 days until your housing situation is resolved, by either returning home or by securing settled accommodation.
Please bear in mind that if you are found to have made yourself intentionally homeless then the Council's ability to assist you will be limited.
If you need somewhere to stay tonight and the Council won’t help you, you need to contact the YMCA to see if they have any beds available. You can contact them on 01908 295608.
Integrated Assessment Process for 16 to 25 Year Olds
All referrals to Supported Housing schemes are made via Milton Keynes Council’s Housing Options Team. You can contact them on 01908 253481.
If you are homeless or will be in the near future and can’t stay with friends, family or afford to live on your own – there is the option of supported housing. There are only 40 places in Milton Keynes with a high level of support for young people although the need is much greater. Here is a list of the providers:-
• The Foundation Foyer accommodates up to 16 young people aged between 17-25 who are experiencing housing problems and need to develop skills to be able to live on their own. To be eligible a young person must be homeless, threatened with homelessness or in temporary or unsuitable accommodation. The young person must also be either in or actively seeking training, further education or employment.
• The Ark Charity offers 24hr a day, 7 day a week supportive accommodation to homeless and vulnerable young people at Ark House. They also have two move-on accommodations, one shared house with floating support and a unit with 5 bed-sits. They can accommodate up to 16 young people at any one time.
• St Christopher’s Fellowship is a children's charity that is also a housing association, providing a unique combination of care, accommodation, housing, education, training and support to children, young people and vulnerable adults. They take on single people aged between 16-25yrs and can accommodate 8 young people.
• Springfield House is temporary supported accommodation for young mothers or pregnant young women aged between 16-24yrs.
• YMCA offers emergency accommodation for people aged between 18-30yrs of age. Based in Central Milton Keynes provides a safe and secure 15 bed hostel accommodation for those aged 16 and over who are homeless. An additional ‘crisis bed’ is also provided by the YMCA for young people who are unable to access the Nightstop Service. The 24 hour hostel is the only facility of its kind in Milton Keynes. Hostel guests can stay for up to 28 days. During their stay intensive support is provided to enable them to find longer term accommodation and to help resolve personal difficulties that have contributed to their homelessness.
The YMCA also provides supported accommodation for young people aged 18 – 30, within its complex of 122 apartments. Activities are also offered to help young people develop:
- Social skills and self-confidence
- Empower young people to find and keep jobs
- Offer young people education and skills training
Contact YMCA on 01908 295600.
A quick note about the YMCA... the YMCA is the world's largest youth movement and exists solely to help young people build a future for themselves. They've been here in Milton Keynes for almost 30 years now and the existing buildings and facilities, between the police station and the council offices in CMK, are badly in need of replacement.
• But what should they replace it with?
• What's missing for young people in MK?
• What would inspire you?
•What would you like to be part of?
We want as many local young people as possible to help us in designing, developing and eventually running the very best facility for young people in the UK. And this is the first step! Read and answer the questions on the quick survey as honestly and as thoughtfully as you can. We promise that all your views and comments will be read and considered - the best ideas might well become features of the new building and let's give it a name... YBASE!
www.mysaymk.com/positiveactivities/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=59808
If you are looking at renting somewhere you will need to be aware of what options are available to you.
Renting in Milton Keynes is not cheap but sometimes it is the only way you can get a place of your own.
Typically, a one bed flat to rent in Milton Keynes will cost you around £450 per month. This does not include bills or council tax.
Have you thought about renting a room in a house? You can get these for around £300 per month and that usually includes your bills, except the telephone. If this is all you can afford right now, then it is probably your best option.
The best places to find rented accommodation are:
• The local paper
• Rental websites
• Shop windows
Ask around. Maybe someone you know is aware of a place to rent.
When renting there are a few things you need to take into consideration. It is important that you obtain some kind of tenancy agreement. This will give you information on things like how much your rent is, when it needs to be paid by, who is responsible for repairs, what notice you must give or be given. The agreement should be signed by both you and your landlord.
Have you thought about the deposit?
When you rent somewhere you will usually need to give a deposit and one months rent up front. This can add up to nearly £1000. The deposit is there to cover the landlord should you damage the property or leave without giving notice. If things are left in good order you should be given your deposit back when you leave.
One of the biggest challenges facing young people in the UK today is buying your first home. Milton Keynes is one of the most expensive areas to live in the country, which makes getting on the property ladder extremely hard.
Let me put this into context for you:
If you wanted to buy a one bed flat in the city it is likely to cost you around £120,000. In order to be given a mortgage for this amount, which is what you are likely to have to do, you would need to be earning £34,000 a year. For some people this may be possible. But for many, especially those who have just left school or college, it is not very likely. Many people have to be working a number of years before they are earning this amount. Because of this many young people are choosing to stay at home for longer while they save up some money, since renting is also a very pricey option.
If you are lucky enough to be able to get a mortgage for a full priced property, make sure you shop around for the best mortgage deal with the lowest possible interest rate. Interest is what is charged on top of the mortgage amount and can greatly affect your monthly repayments and the total amount you will pay back. There are so many different mortgage options out there that I recommend seeking independent financial advice before you enter into any agreement. The best deal for you will depend upon your circumstances.
There are ways in which you can get your foot on the ladder, but many people are competing for these opportunities.
This is where you buy a percentage of the property and the rest is owned by a landlord, usually a housing association. You then pay the mortgage on your share and a small amount of rent to your landlord. For example, if you buy somewhere worth £100,000 and your share is 40% that means you only need a mortgage for £40,000 rather than the full £100,000. Shared ownership was set up to help people on low incomes buy their first home. And as you start to earn more money you can then buy more shares in the property until you own the whole thing! This scheme is very popular, so if it something you would like to consider you will need to get your name down on some waiting lists. Also be aware of those that contain ‘premiums’. This is where you have to pay a lump sum up front, sometimes as much as £25,000! If you can find the right property at the right price then it is something worth considering.
To find out if you are eligible go to www.homebuy.co.uk and register your interest.
These are for people who work in certain industries, such as the police, nurses and teachers. If you work in such a sector look out for these schemes. They work very similarly to shared ownership properties but they tell you what job you need to be doing.
Have you just moved into your first home and finding it a bit daunting? Download the Young Tenants Guide below for information on:
• Tenancy agreements
• Turning on utilities
• Bills
• Furniture
• Money and budgeting
• Shopping and cooking
• What to do in an emergency
• Your rights and responsibilities
For further information download our guide to looking after your new home (2.3MB, PDF) (You will need Adobe Reader to view this file).
If you are living in your own home but are finding it difficult to manage or you are at risk of losing your home, then a floating support worker can visit you weekly to help you cope and improve your budgeting skills or any area that you feel you may need help with. A few examples of how they can help are:
• Sorting out debts
• Problems with landlord
• Understanding letters or paperwork
• Accessing services i.e. healthcare
Floating support is useful if you are moving on from supported housing or leaving home for the first time and you need a low level of support to help you settle in and organise yourself independently.
This support can stay with you for as long as you need it. It is tailored to your needs and focuses on preventing homelessness by enabling you to develop the independent living skills necessary to keep your accommodation and live in the community successfully.
Floating support services are available for:
• Young people between the ages of 15-25
• People over the age of 21 years who may need assistance with finding a home and settling in
• Young people who are recovering from substance abuse
• Families experiencing short-term practical difficulties
• A young mother who is expecting or already has a child
Low, medium and high risk support for Milton Keynes Council tenants, tenants in the private sector or home owners aged 21 years and older.
Purpose: to assist in setting up home in a new tenancy, advice and assistance with welfare benefits claims, budgeting advice and assistance, access to other agencies and services including healthcare, support in establishing social contacts and activities, developing social skills, to provide support to vulnerable tenants who would otherwise be at risk of losing their tenancies and much more.
Contact Milton Keynes Tenancy Support on 01908 254222 or email tenantsupportteam@milton-keynes.gov.uk.
An outreach, floating support service for single young people aged between 16-21 years.
Purpose: to provide advice and support to both Ark residents and others seeking assistance with independent living. Offer advice to young people at risk of homelessness.
Contact The Ark Charity on 01908 317174 or email info@thearkcharity.co.uk.
Or you can drop in for advice, Mon-Fri 9am-5pm: Unit K, The Agora Centre, Church Street, Wolverton, Milton Keynes, MK12 5LG.
Short-term practical support for families who have at least one child between the age of 0-4 years, living in a Sure Start area, such as Galley Hill, Wolverton, Fullers Slade, Stacey Bushes and Hodge Lea.
Purpose: to provide short-term practical support and information to families during their time of need or adjustment.
Ask for Family Support on 01908 311112 or email admin@mkchristianfoundation.co.uk.
A service aimed at families with young children.
Purpose: to build and strengthen families through housing support, family centres, community services, children’s centres, and training and development to increase the life chances of the children.
Contact 0800 7311845 or email family@pactcharity.org.
For single people aged between 16 and 25 years of age at referral.
Purpose: To sign post service users to community resources, especially in relation to employment and training. To achieve independent living, develop and maintain life skills, develop budgeting skills and household management, establish and maintain social networks, maximize use of training and leisure opportunities available, manage their lives and understand their responsibilities, to actively involve service users in the running of the project and its future direction.
Contact Lesley Willis on 01908 239777 or email lesleywillis@stchris.org.uk.
They offer as little or as much support needed for a young parent aged 16-21 years who is pregnant or already has a child or children who require housing related support.
Purpose: to provide the opportunity to access appropriate support networks to enable a young parent to maintain and develop the day to day living skills necessary for providing a family with long-term accommodation.
Springfield Mother and Baby Project
Springfield House, 47 Springfield Boulevard, Milton Keynes, MK6 3HR.
Contact 01908 201031 or 07901 514369.
If you need any help please contact Amy Hill, YHN Development Worker, by email or call 01908 317174.
Alternatively, our address is Youth Housing Network, Unit K, The Agora Centre, Wolverton, MK12 5LG.
