Housing Young Parents Linzi Ladlow University of Leeds

Overview Research aims Methodology Early findings –Poor quality housing –Frequent house moves –Housing support –Housing support workers Conclusions

Research Aims To explore… The lived-experiences and housing pathways of young parents The policies and practices directed towards those in need of housing support

Background Young people adversely affected by welfare reforms The needs of young people are assumed to be less than older people (France 2008) Elongated youth transitions (Furlong et al 2014) Who ‘underwrites’ period of ‘semi- independence’? (Irwin 2005)

Methodology Collaborative approach Qualitative Longitudinal methods Small sample of mothers and fathers tracked over 1 year Participant observation and in-depth interviews with young parents ‘Shadowing’ and interviewing support workers

Poor quality housing I pay £500 for it but he won't do a single repair. Since I moved in he's saying that he's going to do all these repairs and my room's full of damp. My son’s room is full of damp. Every now and then you get little pools of water. The whole house is full of damp. I've been in and out of hospital with it recently. I've had pneumonia from this house and all sorts. It is really important because where you're living is part of what makes you who you are. Because if you don't have a secure home or anything then you're not going to go anywhere in life. Cos you're busy trying to live day-to-day (Lisa, 24, PRS)

Frequent moves We got used to it. We always lived in boxes, we never really unpacked anything. Things were always in bags. It was just like that. Sleeping on mattresses. At one point within all of that we lived for a couple of months in some women's refuge. Home is very important. It's something that we've never actually really had. So it's nice to just find somewhere that you can just be (Samirah, 23, council house tenant)

Living with parents / living independently It doesn't feel like its my home. So it's a bit awkward. Like I don't do things that I'd normally do in my own home. I don't like going to make myself drinks. I don't like going and getting a shower without asking and stuff like that (Andy, 21, partner’s mother’s house) It's better now that we're in our own home. Cos we haven't got no one there. You don't need to walk on eggshells. And not living with our parents so it's a lot easier. We've got our own space. We can concentrate on the children together without people putting their input in (Sarah, 21, Housing Association tenant)

Andy’s present and future houses

Housing support Help me with bills and stuff cos I couldn't read or write or anything. They helped me with setting up stuff and making sure I'm paying stuff on time. And I was in debt and they helped me sort that out as well and helped me when I was younger with budgeting my money and stuff. They helped me go on courses for budgeting my money, they helped me access things for him when he was first born. Say I needed home safety stuff, they'd actually sort it all out for me. With this house they helped me go through the council to get a newer house. They are the reason I got priority A cos every time I phoned up they just said, 'oh you've got a house, it doesn't make a difference'. So I wasn't on any priority. It's only cos of Archway that I've ended up being priority A. (Lisa, 24, PRS)

Relationship with support worker She is a worker obviously but she's kind of a friend too. Whatever I need she supports me with. She helped with my radiator, she helped when I needed support with that. She sorted out my housing benefits out. So she's good. She is. (Danny, 20, council house tenant) If it wasn't for her then my house wouldn't be a house. Cos she's helped me get pretty much everything in it. Which I'm very grateful for. I think she's made me become more of a stronger person (Sarah, 21, Housing Association tenant)

Conclusions The most disadvantaged young parents experienced frequent house moves and had a strong desire for a stable, permanent home Unstable/poor quality housing can compromise ability to develop parenting roles and identities Distinction between young parents with family support and greater capital Support services are vital to help those without familial support gain independence and transition to adulthood

References France (2008) From Being to Becoming: The Importance of Tackling Youth Poverty in Transitions To Adulthood. Social Policy and Society. 7(04), pp Furlong, A. et al. (2011). Changing times, changing perspectives: reconciling ‘transition’ and ‘cultural’ perspectives on youth and young adulthood. Journal of sociology. 47(4), p15 Irwin, S (2005) Reshaping Social Life, Routledge