Young people from across the country have taken the current housing reform debate onto 'YouTube' and are sending some clear messages to Government on a range of housing issues including homelessness, benefits and support agencies.

The videos were made by members of the National Youth Reference Group - part of the National Youth Homelessness Scheme - in association with the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), which is helping to lead the current housing reform debate on behalf of Government.

The series of 14 videos clips were filmed at St Basils in the West Midlands and feature young people from London, West Yorkshire, Hertfordshire and Birmingham. All have faced real challenges in relation to housing from an early age and are able to talk in depth about the positives and negatives of the current housing system.


Ashanti Webb, from Birmingham, highlighted problems with accessing support and advice. She said: "You've got your Connexions and your drug service, you have to travel round the whole of Birmingham just to access these services. What if you had one that was all together in one house so that young people can get everything from one service. If you're on benefits you haven't got the money to keep paying £3 here and there to go here and there."

Bianca Lilley, from London, said: "I personally think that the options for young people are very limited. It's all very well going into shared accommodation and shared housing, but the options after moving on are very, very limited. I think if there are more options it means you don't have to depend on supported housing. Supported housing is secure and people are there to listen, but once you move on, you're by yourself and there are not enough options for young people to choose from."

CIH Head of Policy Abigail Davies said: "The forthcoming housing reform green paper gives a real opportunity to change the way we deliver housing options to young people so that housing and associated services give them the best possible start to their adult life. These videos illustrate clearly some of the challenges faced by young people today as well as their hopes for the future. It's essential that government and the housing sector hear and respond to what young people themselves want and aspire to when considering how the housing system could be changed for the better."

(CD/JM)