Our final session of the conference looks at specific homelessness experiences of students, LGBTQ+ young people, young people with experience of being in care, and ex-forces personnel. It promises to be a great end to the conference! The full abstracts are below.
Presentations from these authors and a live Q&A session are available to all HSA members. Book here
1. Alan C. McCaskell, Peter Matthews and Isobel Anderson Understanding student homelessness in higher education in Scotland
The proportion of young people attending higher education (HE) in Scotland has grown. The gap between the most and least advantaged students securing a place at university is narrowing, albeit marginally, and in 2018-19 a record number of young people from the most deprived areas in Scotland were accepted through UCAS for their chosen HE course—meaning a greater diversity of students are attending higher education institutions (HEIs). Given the growth in student numbers, and, critically, those from more deprived socio-economic backgrounds, there are likely to be students in HEIs in Scotland with experience of poverty, family breakdown, local authority care—characteristics of those at risk of, or with experience of, homelessness. There is, therefore, a likelihood that a greater number of students in HEIs are experiencing homelessness in Scotland but limited data exist on the occurrence and scale of the issue. Internationally, very little is known about student homelessness in HE. Prior studies have mapped out demographic characteristics of young homeless people but have neglected to consider the education element. Student homelessness may be a qualitatively different phenomenon and may require separate causal analysis. This paper will begin filling in the evidence gap. Bringing together literature on student identity and belonging, home and homelessness, and youth transitions, this paper will set out a framework for understanding homelessness among students in HE.
2. Jemma Bridgeman and Hugh Russell Examining Homelessness amongst Two Excluded Groups in Wales: A Study of LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness and Care Experience and Youth Homelessness
End Youth Homelessness Cymru (EYHC) is a coalition determined to end homelessness by 2027. We believe no young person should experience homelessness. The findings of two pieces of EYHC’s research firstly on LGBTQ+ youth homelessness and secondly on care experience and youth homelessness will be presented. Being LGBTQ+ or care experienced are factors, which make it more likely that a young person will experience homelessness. Research indicates LGBTQ+ young people are four times more likely to become homeless. Moreover, despite the arguably well-understood needs of care experienced young people they are also over represented amongst homeless populations. This research amplifies the voices of young people on the issue of youth homelessness. EYHC’s research has used peer research interviews and group interviews with young people as well as a survey of practitioners to identify the system failures, which have led to these two excluded groups experiencing youth homelessness. The research provides practical solutions suggested by young people and practitioners to prevent these excluded groups experiencing the trauma of homelessness.
3. Steve Rolfe and Isobel Anderson Working Together: The role of collaboration in meeting the housing needs of ex-forces personnel
Personnel leaving the armed forces face particular challenges. Alongside leaving their job, many will be required to leave their home. In addition, the all-encompassing nature of forces life means that personnel who were recruited at a young age may have little or no experience of navigating civilian institutions and systems. Whilst most service leavers make a successful transition and the public perception of high rates of homelessness amongst veterans is largely debunked, a number of personnel find it difficult to secure and sustain housing on leaving the military. This paper presents the findings from a study which explored the role of collaboration in meeting the housing needs of ex-forces personnel, focusing particularly on recent service leavers. It utilises theories of partnership and boundary spanning to provide insight into the effectiveness of different organisational approaches, with implications which will be of value for other groups facing challenging housing transitions, such as care leavers and prisoners. Using area-based case studies across the UK, the study also examines the role of devolution at national and local levels in facilitating collaboration, and the tension with national-level political priorities.