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Helping young people set out on their own

Northumberland County Council has produced a guide to help younger adults cope with the “overwhelming” process of moving out and living independently. John Riddle explains more

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Helping young people set out on their own

The pressures and difficulties faced by young people in securing their own home in the areas they grew up in is well documented.

The availability and provision of affordable housing, whether that be to rent or buy, is something which continues to be a concern in Northumberland and across the UK.


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We, as a council, are committed to helping more local people into local housing, to help them make a future for themselves in their local community.

“Many youngsters are intimidated by the responsibility of looking after a home.”

One of the ways in which we are trying to tackle this problem is by working with our own adult and young people’s service, as well as external agencies, to identify their housing needs and issues.

Currently less than 10% of our tenants are “young” people, and through our work with Northumberland-based Silx Youth Project we know that many youngsters are intimidated by the responsibility of looking after a home, or simply don’t know where to go to get advice or help.

Young people can find the whole process of setting out on their own overwhelming and may then struggle to maintain a tenancy, whether that be in social or private rented accommodation.

Issues such as managing a budget, getting into debt, feeling isolated or alone, and not adhering to the terms of their tenancy can lead to young people getting into difficulties and ultimately being made homeless.

With this in mind the council, in partnership with Silx, has produced a Young Tenants’ User Guide aimed at helping first-time housing tenants.

Targeted at 18 to 25-year-olds, the guide provides information on everything a tenant may need to know.

This includes finance and how to keep on top of your bills; benefits advice; what a tenancy agreement is; and what tenants are responsible for, including what can happen if those responsibilities are not met.

The guide also includes tips on how young tenants can stay safe in their homes, as well as issues such as sexual and mental health.

We’re keen to support young people in being able to take that next step into adulthood, by moving into their own home. However, we also recognise they can be in a vulnerable position and at risk of losing their tenancy if they don’t have the skills or knowledge associated with running a home.

“We have been approached by a number of other local authorities and housing associations.”

This guide covers everything they need to know to have a positive experience and to fulfil their potential as a homeowner in the future.

It is now being given to all new, young tenants who will also now be referred to Silx for any extra help they may need.

Since launching the guide we have been approached by a number of other local authorities and housing associations that are looking to improve the way they engage with young tenants.

Key to helping young people into housing is understanding their needs, communicating with them in simple and easy to understand terms, and supporting them throughout the process.

We also have to tackle the issue of availability and provision of affordable housing, whether that be to rent or buy. In Northumberland we will be encouraging community-led housing projects to help provide local housing for local people.

We are currently also in the process of reviewing the housing need in the county, to reflect predicted population increases.

We will be consulting with our communities to ensure we have the right number and types of houses, in the areas most in need, while protecting our green belt land.

John Riddle, cabinet member for planning, housing and resilience, Northumberland County Council

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