0:00:02 > 0:00:05The law says everyone has the right to a safe place to live.
0:00:05 > 0:00:06- See all those flies?- Yeah.
0:00:06 > 0:00:10But for thousands of people across Britain right now,
0:00:10 > 0:00:13the reality can be more hovel than home.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17- It's just vermin, vermin and filth. - Oh!
0:00:17 > 0:00:19It was the landlord!
0:00:19 > 0:00:21In the battle between tenants and landlords,
0:00:21 > 0:00:25it's local housing officers who are on the front line.
0:00:25 > 0:00:26We're coming in.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29- No, no.- Police.- Excuse me.
0:00:29 > 0:00:30I'm Matt Allwright.
0:00:30 > 0:00:34I'm trying to understand how the property could be in this condition
0:00:34 > 0:00:37while rent is still coming in.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39And I'm back on the job once again,
0:00:39 > 0:00:41joining the ranks of the housing enforcers.
0:00:41 > 0:00:42It smells like pee.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44This is somebody's playground.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47They are tackling problem properties...
0:00:47 > 0:00:49It just feels like a time bomb.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52..dealing with the consequences of the nightmare neighbours.
0:00:52 > 0:00:57- He called me a...- And doing their best to help those in need.
0:00:57 > 0:01:01We can stand there and look at the very rich people looking back down.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10Today I join the rescue party for a derelict
0:01:10 > 0:01:12and dangerous seaside property.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15It's just water and time, that's all it takes, isn't it?
0:01:15 > 0:01:16To destroy a building.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19You can see where it's bowing and it looks like it's ready to collapse.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22It's not safe for anyone to work in there.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25It's an open and shut case for one housing officer.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27Have you spoken to your landlord about it?
0:01:27 > 0:01:30He saying, yeah, it will be done in the next couple of weeks,
0:01:30 > 0:01:34- but then it is still not done. - And will one homeless young man...
0:01:34 > 0:01:36The worst bit about it was the cold.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39..finally find somewhere to call his own?
0:01:39 > 0:01:44His worldly possessions fit into about seven plastic bags.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50Right now, Britain is in the middle of a housing crisis.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54If you want to buy a property, chances are you will need to
0:01:54 > 0:01:58save almost three times your annual salary as a deposit
0:01:58 > 0:02:01and that'll get you a mortgage that'll make your eyes water.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05No wonder that there are now more people renting than at any
0:02:05 > 0:02:08time in the last 60 years
0:02:08 > 0:02:12and protecting those renters are the country's housing enforcers.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15In this programme, I'm training to become one of them.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22It's always nice to get out of the city with the trip to the seaside,
0:02:22 > 0:02:24but this is no ordinary day out.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32I'm on the road with Tendring Council housing officer Rob Goswell.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36The sightseeing we are doing today is anything but scenic.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39We're off to the seaside resort of Walton-on-the-Naze, where the view's
0:02:39 > 0:02:43being spoiled by a dilapidated seafront property.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46No-one's maintained the place since its owner moved out six years ago.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49And following complaints from neighbours,
0:02:49 > 0:02:53the council's decided to take the drastic step of serving a Compulsory Purchase Order.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56So tell me a bit about where we're going, Rob.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59Right. We're going to see an empty property that we're currently dealing with.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02Now, we had a gentleman living there and he couldn't live there
0:03:02 > 0:03:05any more because of his poor health, because it's a large property.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08It is in desperate need of maintenance and it went into disrepair.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10Kids got in there and caused all sorts of trouble,
0:03:10 > 0:03:12and so we've had to board it up
0:03:12 > 0:03:15and now we're looking to go through with a compulsory purchase.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21A Compulsory Purchase Order, or CPO, gives an authority the legal power to
0:03:21 > 0:03:24buy your home or land from you.
0:03:24 > 0:03:25It's a last resort,
0:03:25 > 0:03:29taken when the property's in a serious state of disrepair
0:03:29 > 0:03:33and the property owner can't or won't make the necessary improvements.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37In the past, the council's tried to compel the owner
0:03:37 > 0:03:39to carry out repairs,
0:03:39 > 0:03:40but things have become so bad now
0:03:40 > 0:03:43it's affecting the neighbouring properties.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45It's sad that it's got to this point.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47The older properties always require a lot of maintenance
0:03:47 > 0:03:50and when they haven't got it... It is a shame.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53Even though the compulsory purchase hasn't gone through yet,
0:03:53 > 0:03:57the housing team still needs to make sure the property's safe -
0:03:57 > 0:03:58in itself, a risky job.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02It can be very dangerous viewing one of these properties.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04I've got a full load of kit for you to wear.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06I don't really feel you're doing a proper job
0:04:06 > 0:04:08unless you're wearing some kind of personal protection.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11- It does make you feel the part, doesn't it?- Yes, yes.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14Right, here we are. This is the one we're looking at today.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17- Oh, my goodness. Yes, really stands out, doesn't it?- Yes, yes.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19Look at that.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22Even from a distance, we can see why we could be taking our lives
0:04:22 > 0:04:25in our hands going into this one
0:04:25 > 0:04:27and Ian Kavanagh seems to agree.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32- Hello, there.- Hi.- How are you doing? Are you all right? Good to see you.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35- I love what you've done with the place.- Looking good, isn't it?
0:04:35 > 0:04:39'Rob's really not taking any chances with our safety.'
0:04:39 > 0:04:43I've got you some over-shoes, you'll need them. Some gloves.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45- You might need that if you want to touch anything.- OK.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48'Don't forget, I still have my rookie status.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51'Until I've served my time, I haven't even earned the right to wear
0:04:51 > 0:04:53'official council clobber.'
0:04:53 > 0:04:55Is that one yours?
0:04:55 > 0:04:57That's a nice, official one.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00I'm not worthy of that.
0:05:00 > 0:05:01I'm not worthy of that yet.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03You've got to sort of work hard to get them kind of ones.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05I'm afraid to say, standard for you.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08That's all right. You've got to start somewhere.
0:05:08 > 0:05:13- Wow. Those boots are too big for the protectors.- They are too big.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16Maybe we should just get one of these big black bin bags.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20This is obviously, potentially, quite a dangerous property.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23And if you see anything untoward, let us know.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26And likewise, if we say we're leaving, we all go out.
0:05:26 > 0:05:31- We don't stay in. - Right.- OK?- Here we go.- Right.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34The structural issues aren't the only thing
0:05:34 > 0:05:35Rob and Ian have to deal with.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39The property's owner had a major hoarding problem and the council's
0:05:39 > 0:05:43already shifted tonnes of belongings that have built over the years.
0:05:43 > 0:05:44There's still some way to go, though.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46This is where our hoarder lived.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49I mean, you can actually see parts of cars.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51You've got the gearbox, the suspension.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54- You've almost got the whole car... - Yeah.- ..just here, waiting.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57Yeah, when it was occupied, it was just full.
0:05:57 > 0:06:02And, as you can see, it's degraded more and more and more over time.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04I mean, you can't even get into some rooms.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08'One room we can get into is the kitchen...just about.'
0:06:08 > 0:06:12I get a feeling it is not going to be the Mary Berry-type kitchen.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15There are stairs down, so mind yourself.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18Indeed. It seems the occupant was more into breakers yards than Bake Offs.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22- Look at that.- You can see the extent of the hoarding, now.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25When we actually first came to this property,
0:06:25 > 0:06:28you couldn't actually gain access to any part of the building.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32I think there's more than one car here.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35I think there's several vehicles here, but it's just all piled up.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38Look, you've got... It looks like a door panel there,
0:06:38 > 0:06:40and then that's an inspection ramp.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45I've never seen anything like it. The place is rammed to the rafters.
0:06:45 > 0:06:50I'm really struggling to get my head round how things can get this bad.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53You're trying to put yourself in the frame of mind of somebody
0:06:53 > 0:06:56that is living like this, but it's impossible, isn't it, really?
0:06:56 > 0:07:03- Because, you know, it kind of defies logic, living like this.- Yes.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06It is certainly not the way most of us... Most of us would think.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09Yeah, I mean, even from the outside it looks rundown.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12You wouldn't imagine this accumulation in here, would you at all?
0:07:12 > 0:07:15And you said half of it has been taken out already.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18- A significant amount has been removed.- Really?- Yeah.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20'This place isn't just grotty, though.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23'Water pouring in through a hole in the roof
0:07:23 > 0:07:25'has left it in serious danger of collapse.'
0:07:25 > 0:07:27You can see the ceiling's come down.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29I don't think you need to be an expert
0:07:29 > 0:07:31to know what's going wrong there.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34And it looks like most of the plaster has come down
0:07:34 > 0:07:38and then the boards above it, which is the floor, of the first floor...
0:07:38 > 0:07:41Are probably going to be rotten. You know, it is not very safe at all.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44It has just leaked all the way through each level,
0:07:44 > 0:07:46so it's come through the attic, through to the third floor,
0:07:46 > 0:07:48second floor and then down to here.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51You know, you think, well, an Englishman's home is his castle,
0:07:51 > 0:07:54but it's now starting to affect other people, you know? And we can't have that, really.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57When you get these big, tall terraces like these, they are
0:07:57 > 0:07:59- so interdependent, aren't they? - Absolutely, yeah.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01You can live and let live to a point,
0:08:01 > 0:08:03but that point has long since gone, I think.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08'Coming up, I venture upstairs to see just how urgently
0:08:08 > 0:08:10'repairs are needed.'
0:08:10 > 0:08:14Just watch yourself, right there. The floor is not in good condition, it's not safe there.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25Retiring to the country in a dream for most of us.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29But in rural areas like Suffolk, the much higher number of older people
0:08:29 > 0:08:34brings its own set of challenges for the council's housing officers.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37As well as looking after the day-to-day wellbeing of the residents,
0:08:37 > 0:08:40it's sheltered housing manager Sam Thomson's job
0:08:40 > 0:08:44to show potential new tenants around vacant properties.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46I really, really enjoy my job.
0:08:46 > 0:08:50To help older people find a home where they feel safe
0:08:50 > 0:08:55and secure and will have the support they need is fantastic.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58It always amazes me, really,
0:08:58 > 0:09:01how little people know about sheltered accommodation.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04A lot of people do have a viewpoint that, when you get old,
0:09:04 > 0:09:07you go from your home into like a nursing home, or something.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10They have no idea what to expect.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12Sam's on her way to meet Irene Allsop,
0:09:12 > 0:09:14who's in an unusual situation.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17She's come to the top of the shortlist for two different
0:09:17 > 0:09:19sheltered housing schemes at the same time.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22I think I've only come across it once before,
0:09:22 > 0:09:24but I'm hoping definitely, out of one of the two,
0:09:24 > 0:09:27she will feel that it can be her new home.
0:09:29 > 0:09:30After a long and happy marriage,
0:09:30 > 0:09:34sadly Irene lost her husband two years ago.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38We had a delightful 61 years.
0:09:38 > 0:09:39We had a very good marriage.
0:09:39 > 0:09:46And so of course, when he'd gone, it virtually nearly killed me, I think.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48I wish I'd gone with him. I still do.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54No longer able to manage the rented home they shared,
0:09:54 > 0:09:59Irene's made the difficult decision to move to sheltered accommodation.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02It's now down to Sam to gently guide her through the process.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05She didn't know much about sheltered accommodation.
0:10:05 > 0:10:06When we initially spoke on the phone,
0:10:06 > 0:10:09she wasn't really sure what the property at Hadleigh was like,
0:10:09 > 0:10:13or what the property at Sudbury was like, so I gave her a brief overview
0:10:13 > 0:10:16of what each property would offer and how they differed.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19A crucial part of the job is balancing tenants' expectations
0:10:19 > 0:10:22with the reality of what's available.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26Sam first needs to find out more about Irene's circumstances.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30So, what are your reasons for wanting to move into sheltered housing?
0:10:30 > 0:10:32The reasons are my husband has died
0:10:32 > 0:10:35- and it's too big a house for one person.- Yes, yes.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37I'd like a house with a little garden.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40- A little house with a little garden...- Yes, yes.
0:10:40 > 0:10:41..because I do like my garden.
0:10:41 > 0:10:45'But her decision to move isn't just about wanting somewhere smaller.'
0:10:47 > 0:10:50As we get less mobile, in rural areas, it can be hard to access
0:10:50 > 0:10:52the daily services that we need -
0:10:52 > 0:10:55something Irene's only too well aware of.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58You mentioned on the phone you've given up your car as well?
0:10:58 > 0:11:02- I have, yes.- So is there not much public transport around?
0:11:02 > 0:11:07- Very little.- Oh, OK.- I'm told there is only one or two, I think, a week.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11- Oh, really?- Yes.- That's not a lot at all, is it?- It's rubbish.- Yes.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13There's only one shop in the town as well
0:11:13 > 0:11:15and that's supposed to be selling up.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18So with a garden and access to shops and public transport
0:11:18 > 0:11:21top of Irene's list, there is a clear frontrunner out of the two schemes -
0:11:21 > 0:11:23property number one.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25Well, the Hadleigh and the Sudbury schemes
0:11:25 > 0:11:27are quite different in their ways.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31The Hadleigh scheme is external, so it's out in the community.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34That property does come with a garden.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37The one in Sudbury is internal, so it is in a building complex,
0:11:37 > 0:11:40and that doesn't come with a garden. So the Hadleigh one,
0:11:40 > 0:11:44- you might find it more suitable for what you're looking for.- Yes.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46Can you get to places from Hadleigh?
0:11:46 > 0:11:51Yes. There are regular buses to Sudbury and to Ipswich.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54I don't like Ipswich.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57Hmm. Maybe not quite as easy as Sam was hoping.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01Irene's got definite ideas about where she wants to live,
0:12:01 > 0:12:04but the move is a huge change and it needs to be right.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08- So, the property we've come to view is number three.- Yes.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10It's just over here.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14- It's a bit of a hole-y road, isn't it?- Yes.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18Unfortunately it's the bad weather, isn't it? So...
0:12:18 > 0:12:22- This is the property.- I like the ducks, are they left there?
0:12:22 > 0:12:24- They have been left there, yes. - That's all right then.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26She likes the ducks. This could be a winner.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29- There we go.- OK.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31So this is your lounge area.
0:12:34 > 0:12:35Oh, that's not a bad size, is it?
0:12:35 > 0:12:40It is a really, really good size. And the bedroom is through there.
0:12:40 > 0:12:41Yes.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46- This is going well. - This one is big enough.- Yes.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50It's got a lovely big kitchen. Fridges usually go under there.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52And that's where your boiler
0:12:52 > 0:12:55- and airing cupboard area is. - Air clothes, yes.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58But just as things seem to be going well,
0:12:58 > 0:13:01Irene's spotted something in that, well, just won't wash.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03Where would I put my washing machine?
0:13:03 > 0:13:05Well, if there's no fittings for it,
0:13:05 > 0:13:07I don't think they cater for a washing machine.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11So I've got to go outside and spend money on doing that?
0:13:11 > 0:13:14Well, no, a lot of the tenants here do go over to Sydney Brown Court,
0:13:14 > 0:13:17- just literally opposite us...- Yes.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20..and use their communal laundry facilities.
0:13:20 > 0:13:25Nope, nope. That's no good. OK, Sam, there's only one thing for it.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28Show her the garden! Show her the garden!
0:13:28 > 0:13:32So, from that second post from us here to the third one,
0:13:32 > 0:13:34- that would be your section of garden.- Yes.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38And obviously you've got your litter area at the front as well.
0:13:38 > 0:13:43It is a garden, but I don't think Irene likes it.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47So, have you really got your heart set on a garden, have you?
0:13:47 > 0:13:50I do really want a garden. It depends on the house.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52It looks like this place is a nonstarter.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55And property number two in Sudbury is far from ideal,
0:13:55 > 0:13:58with no private outside space.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02We do have a little communal garden area, but that is...
0:14:02 > 0:14:06You know, maintained by Bedfordshire Council.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08It doesn't sound like it's worth going to see, does it?
0:14:08 > 0:14:11No. If it doesn't meet what you're after then we don't have to go
0:14:11 > 0:14:14and view it. That's absolutely fine.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17Neither of the properties is what Irene is looking for,
0:14:17 > 0:14:19so she's going to stay put for now.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21Properties will of course come up
0:14:21 > 0:14:23in different areas of the sheltered accommodation.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27So if one comes up of interest to you that has a garden,
0:14:27 > 0:14:32put a bid in and fingers crossed you may be fortunate there.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35Things haven't gone according to plan for Sam today,
0:14:35 > 0:14:36but it's all part of the job.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38Each person is different, of course,
0:14:38 > 0:14:41so everybody wants different things out of the accommodation.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44So we try to meet the needs as best as we can but sometimes,
0:14:44 > 0:14:46unfortunately, we just can't.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49Giving up your home and starting again somewhere new at Irene's age
0:14:49 > 0:14:54is never going to be easy, but at least she's thinking about it.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57Now she knows more about sheltered, she can maybe ease herself
0:14:57 > 0:15:00into having to give up certain things that
0:15:00 > 0:15:02she has in her own home at the moment.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05She is in no rush, so eventually a property will come up
0:15:05 > 0:15:08that will be suitable for her.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11Irene's still waiting for that perfect property to become available.
0:15:11 > 0:15:16Hopefully one with a garden she can call her own...and ducks.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18There must be ducks.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27In Tendring, the council was forced to serve
0:15:27 > 0:15:31a Compulsory Purchase Order on the dilapidated seafront house
0:15:31 > 0:15:34abandoned since its elderly owner moved out six years ago.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38It's a situation made even more difficult
0:15:38 > 0:15:40by the former owner's hoarding habits.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43You've got the gearbox, the suspension.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46You've almost got the whole car, just here, waiting.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48We've taken a look at a ground floor.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51Now it's time to assess the damage upstairs.
0:15:51 > 0:15:52Just watch yourself right there.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54We're not going back here, as you can see.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58- The floor's not in a good condition. It's not safe there.- Right.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00This room to the left here, it's a no-go as well.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04- The one-room we can go in is on the right-hand side - that's fine.- OK.
0:16:04 > 0:16:09Well, I say fine. Relatively speaking.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13- 'The house is rotting from the roof down.'- We're not going in this room.
0:16:13 > 0:16:14As you can see, obviously,
0:16:14 > 0:16:18the leak has extended over here and it's slightly collapsed.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20You can see sort of mould growth along here.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23There is some substantial growth in a sort of lovely number eight.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26- That's impressive. - When I first came in here,
0:16:26 > 0:16:27the water ingress wasn't as bad.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31'I can now see why Rob was so concerned about our safety.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34'One false step and we could go right through
0:16:34 > 0:16:36'the soaking wet floor boards.'
0:16:36 > 0:16:39- This is a bit more solid here, is it? - Yes, this is OK.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42It is just water and time, that's all it takes, isn't it?
0:16:42 > 0:16:45- To destroy a building. - Not a lot of time either, really.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47Five years, really.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51'The structural damage caused by the leaking roof is the big problem here,
0:16:51 > 0:16:54'but the former owner's reluctance to chuck anything out isn't
0:16:54 > 0:16:57'making the job of sorting it out any easier.'
0:16:57 > 0:16:59So how do you start to clear out a house like this?
0:16:59 > 0:17:01Because you can't really get into that room to do the work.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04This is why we've had a real major issue -
0:17:04 > 0:17:06doing it but doing it in a safe way.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09You can see where it is bowing, it looks like it's ready to collapse.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11It's not safe for anyone to work in there.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15You've got half a tonne of junk. Televisions and cars...
0:17:15 > 0:17:19and all sorts of stuff that is just going to go through at some stage,
0:17:19 > 0:17:22- so you can't really be working underneath that.- No, you can't.
0:17:22 > 0:17:27- So, yeah, that one is a no-go.- I'm happy with staying out of that one.
0:17:27 > 0:17:28Beyond the decay in the dirt,
0:17:28 > 0:17:31you can see that the this used to be a beautiful Georgian house.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34While it's really sad that a property like this has ended
0:17:34 > 0:17:38up in such a terrible state, with a bit of time and a lot of hard work
0:17:38 > 0:17:42from the housing team, hopefully it can be restored to its former glory.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45If you look in that room,
0:17:45 > 0:17:50there are still the remnants of a life there underneath the rubble
0:17:50 > 0:17:53and the damp and the roof that's come down.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57Then out of the windows is just the most spectacular view.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59And this is going to be...
0:17:59 > 0:18:00It's going to be a while,
0:18:00 > 0:18:03but it's going to be a spectacular home for somebody again.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07But before it gets to that stage,
0:18:07 > 0:18:11they've got to clear what was somebody's life out first.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14Unbelievable.
0:18:14 > 0:18:15'And even when the junk's gone,
0:18:15 > 0:18:19'there's still going to be a huge amount to do to put the house right.'
0:18:19 > 0:18:22Yeah, it is going to need a bit of work, that one.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25We're going to have to put scaffolding up over the roof.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29Each floor is going to have to be supported and then
0:18:29 > 0:18:32we can look at what works need to be done.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34We're probably going to have to clear out to get a good idea
0:18:34 > 0:18:37- of what the structure of the building is like...- Yeah.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40..other than just a quick glance that we just had now,
0:18:40 > 0:18:42and then we can go on from there.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44Then, realistically,
0:18:44 > 0:18:47how long before somebody else could be making this a home?
0:18:47 > 0:18:51You know, ballpark figure, I would say about three or four months.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53It won't be back to absolutely pristine,
0:18:53 > 0:18:56but you're coming to the point where it is then a blank canvas
0:18:56 > 0:19:00- and then we can move from there. - It's got floors, it's got clean walls...- Yeah.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02- ..and we can have another go.- Yeah.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05- It looks like the end of the tunnel on this one now, so...- Good stuff.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07Let's get our kits off then.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12With inside falling down and the outside an eyesore, one person who
0:19:12 > 0:19:14is delighted the house
0:19:14 > 0:19:18will be getting a new owner is neighbour David Wilson.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20He has lived next door for 30 years
0:19:20 > 0:19:25and watched its dilapidation starting to affect his own home.
0:19:25 > 0:19:26Well, it's very good news.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28The property itself has become damp
0:19:28 > 0:19:31and that damp has seeped through into our place.
0:19:31 > 0:19:36Then, of course, there's the steady deterioration of the exterior.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38It is a bit of an eyesore.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42The place was just steadily allowed to fall into rack and ruin.
0:19:42 > 0:19:47Well, I mean, any kind of renovation would be better than as it stands.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50Ideally, you would want the council to ensure that they sell it
0:19:50 > 0:19:55to somebody who is in a position to restore it properly.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58Ian Kavanagh's back and it seemed like the council's decision to
0:19:58 > 0:20:00buy the house was the right one.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03At least nobody has managed to break down the boarding or anything,
0:20:03 > 0:20:05so nobody has broken in.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07With the Compulsory Purchase nearly complete,
0:20:07 > 0:20:11hopefully it won't be long before the house is brought back to its former glory.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15It is a fantastic building. If you look at the buildings either side, they look lovely.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18When this is done up, it will look just like them
0:20:18 > 0:20:20and it will be fantastic.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23We should take possession of it in ten days and, when that happens,
0:20:23 > 0:20:25we have hopefully got a buyer lined up.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28So we can do a back-to-back sale.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32At the moment, it is a bit hard to imagine what it is going to be like when it's finished.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34But when it's finished, I'm sure it will be lovely
0:20:34 > 0:20:37and you can come and have a look and marvel at it.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39Unfortunately, the private buyer
0:20:39 > 0:20:42who previously expressed an interest has dropped out.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45The council's revalued the property and, once the building's been
0:20:45 > 0:20:48strengthened and cleaned, it will go to a sealed bid or an auction.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52Hopefully, one day soon, this house will be a home again.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02Ensuring that we have a place that is safe and decent to live
0:21:02 > 0:21:04is the job of housing officers across the UK.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07Sorry to get off the subject, but look at this!
0:21:07 > 0:21:08And in this series,
0:21:08 > 0:21:12I will be working alongside those men and women that do just that.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15Don't leave any food for cockroaches on the table,
0:21:15 > 0:21:18- so clearly they've got a pest problem in here as well.- Yeah.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20People do die in properties like this.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22I'm hitting the streets...
0:21:22 > 0:21:24We got upgraded to the copper knock.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26..I'm learning on the job.
0:21:26 > 0:21:27What the hell is that?
0:21:27 > 0:21:29It's a right old mess in there, isn't it?
0:21:29 > 0:21:32I'll be finding out what it takes to make sure that everyone's
0:21:32 > 0:21:34house is fit to be called a home.
0:21:34 > 0:21:38He is constructing a vast castle.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40You know, the enforcement you're talking about
0:21:40 > 0:21:42- means men coming in with hammers.- Yes.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51In Salford, the housing team isn't just there to make sure
0:21:51 > 0:21:54the homes people rent come up to scratch.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57It's also their job to help some people find a home
0:21:57 > 0:21:59in the first place - people like 21-year-old Callum.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05Callum, who has mental health issues, was excluded from school at 15,
0:22:05 > 0:22:07when he was arrested and cautioned
0:22:07 > 0:22:10for an assault after a row with a teacher.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13At 18, he ended up sleeping rough when his mum told him
0:22:13 > 0:22:14he had to leave home.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17Tell me about what happened on the day she kicked you out.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20We always had the odd petty arguments, as families do,
0:22:20 > 0:22:23and stuff that that. But she would always go, "I'm kicking you out
0:22:23 > 0:22:26"if you don't have a job tomorrow", or something like that.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29And then one day I came back and me bags were on the door.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32Like, you know, just outside on the door. So that was it, really,
0:22:32 > 0:22:34and I had nowhere to go.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37I was on the streets for three months or something like that.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40So when you say on the streets, where did you actually sleep?
0:22:40 > 0:22:42What were the practicalities of it?
0:22:42 > 0:22:45I mean, the worst bit about it was the cold.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49When you're walking down the street and it's freezing because of the icy wind,
0:22:49 > 0:22:52you quickly learn where places aren't as cold, for example, alleyways -
0:22:52 > 0:22:56get warm, or as warm as you can hope for.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59It sounds like you very quickly had to learn how to be homeless.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02- Yeah.- How to survive, really.
0:23:02 > 0:23:06How to eat and drink and stuff like that...sort of.
0:23:06 > 0:23:07What I used to do is,
0:23:07 > 0:23:09I'd grab something like a butty and a Mars Bar,
0:23:09 > 0:23:12or something, and I would walk around and eat it in the shop.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15Then I'd walk out, you know, really fast.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18Could you have gone back to your mum's place, to your family's home,
0:23:18 > 0:23:22and said, "Look, I'm really sorry, I'll try and make a new start"?
0:23:22 > 0:23:25Or was that totally off the cards at that point?
0:23:25 > 0:23:26That was totally off the cards.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29Me and me mum fell out for a long time after this.
0:23:30 > 0:23:35I can understand why, now. Now that I've sort of grown up a bit, myself,
0:23:35 > 0:23:37I can understand why she did it, like.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40Would you broadly define this period that we've been
0:23:40 > 0:23:44- talking about, from 15 to what you are now, 21?- Yeah, 21.
0:23:44 > 0:23:49- So six years, basically growing up, that's what it is.- Yeah, basically.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53Because I was just a stupid kid, until I was 18, like.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57- It's difficult admitting that your mum's right.- Exactly.
0:23:57 > 0:24:03- Exactly, that's what it is.- It's all right, you can say it to me.- Yeah.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06Nearly 111,000 people made applications to register
0:24:06 > 0:24:09as homeless across the UK last year -
0:24:09 > 0:24:12over half of them were under 25.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15One in five are affected by substance abuse
0:24:15 > 0:24:16and mental health issues.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19The most common reason young people end up homeless is
0:24:19 > 0:24:23because their family's no longer willing to house them.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25Luckily for Callum, he's off the streets now.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28After living in a succession of hostels,
0:24:28 > 0:24:30he's in Salford Council's temporary accommodation,
0:24:30 > 0:24:34under the watchful eye of supported tenancies officer Vicky Fitton.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37My job is to support anybody, young or old,
0:24:37 > 0:24:39that gets placed in temporary accommodation.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43Some can't read or write, some have mental health issues.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47And living rough hasn't helped Callum's own mental health problems.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51Because he's been homeless, he hasn't had access to doctors,
0:24:51 > 0:24:54he hasn't had the medication that he is on now.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58So he has been known to self medicate with alcohol to get
0:24:58 > 0:25:01over his severe anxiety and depression.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05Happily, he's now getting the help he needs.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07Callum is a much, much calmer person.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09Because his life was so chaotic,
0:25:09 > 0:25:12he was not getting the support from his psychiatrist,
0:25:12 > 0:25:16he wasn't working with Mind and the mental health team,
0:25:16 > 0:25:20whereas he's working with all professionals involved at the minute.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22After two months in temporary accommodation,
0:25:22 > 0:25:26Vicky's found Callum a permanent home in a social housing scheme,
0:25:26 > 0:25:28but that's not the end of the story.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31As a supported tenancies officer, it is her job to give him
0:25:31 > 0:25:35ongoing help to make sure he doesn't end up back on the street.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37We try and help people to budget,
0:25:37 > 0:25:39to give them the skills that they need to make sure
0:25:39 > 0:25:41that their tenancy is successful.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45Anything from managing his money to avoid getting into rent arrears...
0:25:45 > 0:25:47Hello, it is Vicky from Supported Tenancies.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50..to basic help with the everyday bits of life the rest of us
0:25:50 > 0:25:55take for granted, such as making phone calls or opening letters.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58Vicky's visiting Callum at his temporary accommodation
0:25:58 > 0:25:59to give him some good news.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06- Hi, Callum.- Hi, Vicky.- Right, should we start with the good news?
0:26:06 > 0:26:09Have you had confirmation of your offer through?
0:26:09 > 0:26:11Yeah, I got a letter the other day.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14Right, so that's confirming that the offer is definitely yours.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16Yeah, yeah, yeah.
0:26:16 > 0:26:20It said...as long as I get good references then,
0:26:20 > 0:26:23yeah, it's basically fine, yeah.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26It's looking good, but Callum's been having trouble
0:26:26 > 0:26:27claiming the right benefits,
0:26:27 > 0:26:31which could put his new tenancy in jeopardy before it even starts.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33My money is still the same at the moment, so...
0:26:33 > 0:26:36- Are you still on the reduced rate? - I'm still on the reduced rate.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38Callum, are you all right if we just ring up
0:26:38 > 0:26:40the Department for Work and Pensions?
0:26:40 > 0:26:43- Yeah, that's fine. - Without the right benefits,
0:26:43 > 0:26:45he could quickly end up in rent arrears,
0:26:45 > 0:26:46so Vicky's straight on the phone.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49Obviously Callum is in financial hardship at the minute.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53I was just wondering if he was any closer to putting his money up to the correct rate?
0:26:53 > 0:26:55Desperate to turn his life around,
0:26:55 > 0:26:59Callum is hoping that having a permanent home can get him on track.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03Living in this flat is really good, I've enjoyed it,
0:27:03 > 0:27:05but it's not your own house. You can't really do anything.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07You can't get a job without having a fixed abode,
0:27:07 > 0:27:11and you can't get a fixed abode because you don't have the money for it until you get a job.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13It is sort of like a Catch-22 thing.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16Thanks to the call, getting him back on his feet again
0:27:16 > 0:27:18is another step closer.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21They have updated your claim, so the payment that you're due
0:27:21 > 0:27:25on the 24th of this month will be at the correct rate.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28And Callum's hoping a stable place to live will be the start of a brighter future.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32It's what everyone wants, don't they? Everyone wants a home, everyone wants a good life,
0:27:32 > 0:27:34so I'm hoping it will be...
0:27:34 > 0:27:37I'll get this flat and it will be the start of a new life, basically.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40I'll get a flat and hopefully I'll get a job.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42It is definitely a fresh start.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45I'm very excited about it.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47They've got one chance.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49If he messes this up,
0:27:49 > 0:27:52and things aren't put in place, or her gets rent arrears,
0:27:52 > 0:27:54there is no second chance.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57That's it. So we need to make sure that he does succeed.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59See you later, Callum!
0:27:59 > 0:28:01Later, we'll be finding out
0:28:01 > 0:28:04if Callum finally gets the chance to put his house in order.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07Fingers crossed, by the end of today, he should have the keys
0:28:07 > 0:28:09to his own permanent property.
0:28:13 > 0:28:17Most of us walk or drive past hundreds, possibly thousands,
0:28:17 > 0:28:19of front doors every day.
0:28:19 > 0:28:21They are a barrier against the elements,
0:28:21 > 0:28:24security for our families, a welcoming threshold.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27But for an experienced housing officer who has built up that
0:28:27 > 0:28:31housing sixth sense, a front door can say so much more.
0:28:33 > 0:28:37In Stafford, one particular house popped up on the housing
0:28:37 > 0:28:39officer radar of Chris Butcher.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48This house has been bugging me for a while.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51I drive past it every day and I can see the damage to the front door.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55I have spoken with the tenants before and I'm coming back now to see what we can do.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58The issue with this property wasn't reported to Chris.
0:28:58 > 0:29:02Instead, he took it upon himself to investigate.
0:29:02 > 0:29:06Tenant Dominic, who lives here with his young family,
0:29:06 > 0:29:07is pleased that he has.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10You can see from the road that it is still looking pretty terrible.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12Have you spoken to your landlord about it?
0:29:12 > 0:29:16Yes, yes, I've already spoken with him, but then he just ignored.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19From the first time when we start reporting doors
0:29:19 > 0:29:24and most of the things in that house, he is just ignoring.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27Or he's saying, "Yes, that will be done in next couple of weeks' time",
0:29:27 > 0:29:30but they're still not done.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33Chris has the Housing Act of 2004 on his side.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36Housing officers will assess privately rented properties under
0:29:36 > 0:29:39the Housing Health and Safety Rating System.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42It states that...
0:29:47 > 0:29:50Classes of hazard include...
0:29:55 > 0:29:59And Dominic's dodgy door looks like a clear security hazard to me.
0:29:59 > 0:30:03And does it cause you any particular concerns about the security of your home?
0:30:03 > 0:30:06I mean, yeah, I'm actually scared of my family because of that.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08Because it is a front door, everyone can see them,
0:30:08 > 0:30:10sometimes during the night-time.
0:30:10 > 0:30:15- We cannot lock them because we have no keys to them doors.- Right.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18- So you don't have the key to your front door?- Exactly, yeah.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21And then when someone see them doors, they are open.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25- Going into our house.- I've spoken to your landlord already,
0:30:25 > 0:30:29who had assured me that a lot of work was taking place.
0:30:29 > 0:30:30And I will try and get the gauge
0:30:30 > 0:30:34about how long he thinks it will take, what is his timescales.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40If they seem excessive, I think I'll then look to see what
0:30:40 > 0:30:43enforcement action would be worthwhile to replace the door alone.
0:30:43 > 0:30:47So...if I can get them to push forward on that,
0:30:47 > 0:30:50especially if I start talking about, "Look, there are some cost implications here".
0:30:50 > 0:30:54If I'm going to have to serve a notice, I'm going to charge him for doing it,
0:30:54 > 0:30:55which will increase the cost.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58Whereas if you just replaced the door - no harm, no foul.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01Chris is hopeful that the landlord will cooperate
0:31:01 > 0:31:03and fix the rotten door.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07But if he doesn't, Chris has a range of enforcement options.
0:31:07 > 0:31:11Local authorities have a duty to take enforcement action to secure
0:31:11 > 0:31:16necessary improvements where category one or serious hazards are present
0:31:16 > 0:31:19and they have discretion to intervene
0:31:19 > 0:31:21where category two hazards are present.
0:31:21 > 0:31:25The first option is to open a dialogue with the landlord.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28If that fails, the housing officer can issue an improvement notice
0:31:28 > 0:31:30to draw attention to the problem.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34If there is still no response, the council can take emergency action
0:31:34 > 0:31:39to fix the hazard or even ban the use of the property as a dwelling.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42To make matters worse, the front door isn't the only security
0:31:42 > 0:31:45problem that Dominic and his family had to deal with.
0:31:47 > 0:31:51All this property is not security locked.
0:31:51 > 0:31:57The back gate is all the time open, actually, he has got no lock on it.
0:31:57 > 0:32:00So we had a situation a few days ago...
0:32:00 > 0:32:04someone set up a fire in our shed...
0:32:04 > 0:32:06and my car is burned as well.
0:32:06 > 0:32:08OK, so this used to be the shed, I take it.
0:32:08 > 0:32:12- Yes, that was the shed. - I can see the burnt tree.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15There must have been one heck of a fire that had taken place here
0:32:15 > 0:32:18and it doesn't surprise me at all that your car got damaged as a result.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21Exactly, yeah. And the police officer said,
0:32:21 > 0:32:24because the property wasn't secured properly,
0:32:24 > 0:32:27everyone could come into our property.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30- Because of security?- Yeah, yeah. I think that is the main reason.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34Because there is so many sheds around, so why ours?
0:32:34 > 0:32:36Probably because of the gate, so...
0:32:36 > 0:32:40I can lock my gate, just like that, but you can see...
0:32:45 > 0:32:48I can see it's not very good. I can see it's not easy to shut.
0:32:48 > 0:32:54And even if you lock that, everyone can get into your property.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57Obviously the landlord has done those bit, so we can have a chat
0:32:57 > 0:33:00and see whether he is willing to do the gate as well.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03I guess that, when you see one thing that's wrong, it is sometimes
0:33:03 > 0:33:06an indication that there are other things to go and have a look at.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08A bad front door can also mean that the landlord is not willing
0:33:08 > 0:33:11to undertake some other works. It could also mean, of course,
0:33:11 > 0:33:14that they don't necessarily have the money to do the repairs.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16So there can be many reasons why works don't get done,
0:33:16 > 0:33:19so a lot of the time it is about talking to people
0:33:19 > 0:33:20and seeing what we can do to help.
0:33:20 > 0:33:24Hopefully, Chris's persuasive approach will do the job.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27And two weeks later...
0:33:29 > 0:33:33Look at that! A nice, shiny new front door for Dominic and his family.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37I mean, it is a pity they haven't taken the old one away with them,
0:33:37 > 0:33:41although I'm sure Chris was will spot that next time he's driving by.
0:33:46 > 0:33:51In Salford, 21-year-old Callum is also thinking about his front door -
0:33:51 > 0:33:55the one he will soon be opening to his very first flat.
0:33:55 > 0:33:56He ended up sleeping rough
0:33:56 > 0:34:00when he was forced to leave home after falling out with his family.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04The worst bit about it was the cold.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07But with the help of supported tenancies officer Vicky Fitton,
0:34:07 > 0:34:10Callum is trying to turn his life around.
0:34:10 > 0:34:14Vicky has found him a permanent home in a social housing scheme
0:34:14 > 0:34:17and today he is going to see his new flat for the first time.
0:34:17 > 0:34:21We're going to go and pick Callum up because he has got a viewing
0:34:21 > 0:34:24and a sign-up of a property that I nominated him for.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27So fingers crossed, by the end of today,
0:34:27 > 0:34:31he should have the keys to his own permanent property.
0:34:34 > 0:34:38Hello! All right, jump in, Callum.
0:34:38 > 0:34:39After 12 years on the job,
0:34:39 > 0:34:43Vicky is no stranger to what that can mean to someone like Callum.
0:34:43 > 0:34:47It's stability. Sometimes it's the first time within their whole life
0:34:47 > 0:34:49that they have got stability.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52A lot of the young people that we work with come from very, very,
0:34:52 > 0:34:54very chaotic backgrounds.
0:34:54 > 0:34:58Callum's had quite a turbulent young life, so it is a really,
0:34:58 > 0:34:59really positive day.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03Hopefully, today is a whole new start for Callum
0:35:03 > 0:35:07and Vicky Rawcliffe from the Irlwell Valley Housing Association
0:35:07 > 0:35:10is on hand to make sure it all runs smoothly.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12- Hi Vicky, you all right? - Yeah, I'm good. How are you?
0:35:12 > 0:35:14- I'm all right.- Happy New Year!
0:35:14 > 0:35:17- Happy New Year!- Nice to meet you. - Hi, you all right?- Yeah.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20- Looks all right, doesn't it? - Yet, it's nice.- Fab.
0:35:24 > 0:35:28This is the best part of my job...
0:35:28 > 0:35:30having a nosy.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33Come on in.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36I'll put the lights on for you.
0:35:36 > 0:35:40- This is really nice. - It's quite big, isn't it?
0:35:43 > 0:35:46- This will be your front room. - The living room, yeah.
0:35:46 > 0:35:50- I've got a communal garden. - Oh, how good is this?- I know.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52As long as you abide by your tenancy agreement,
0:35:52 > 0:35:55- make sure your rent is paid... - Yeah, yeah.
0:35:55 > 0:35:59- This is yours for as long as you want it.- It's really big, isn't it?
0:35:59 > 0:36:02- A proper bachelor pad.- Yeah.
0:36:02 > 0:36:06- There's one more formality and the flat is all his.- OK. Thank you.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09And I'll sign underneath for the landlord.
0:36:10 > 0:36:12Because it is your first tenancy, obviously,
0:36:12 > 0:36:16anything that you may need you should find in this booklet.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19And this is for things like who supplies your gas,
0:36:19 > 0:36:22who supplies your electric, what you do in an emergency,
0:36:22 > 0:36:25the numbers that you need to ring if you smell gas etc.
0:36:25 > 0:36:29- And these are your front door to your flat keys.- Yeah.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32- Enjoy your new home.- Thank you. - All the best.- I know, you too.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34- Happy decorating!- I will do.
0:36:34 > 0:36:38- Right. - HE LAUGHS
0:36:38 > 0:36:41Yeah, I'm happy. I'm happy, now. It is all sorted.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44After months of hard work, Vicky couldn't be happier either.
0:36:44 > 0:36:49- Have you got your keys? - Yeah, I got them here.- Yay!
0:36:49 > 0:36:53Getting Callum moved in as quickly as possible is Vicky's next challenge.
0:36:53 > 0:36:55Obviously, you're in temporary accommodation now.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58You can only pay housing benefit on one,
0:36:58 > 0:37:01so basically as soon as your furniture is all in,
0:37:01 > 0:37:02we need to get you in.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05- Okey dokey. So...- Probably tomorrow night, providing you've got gas,
0:37:05 > 0:37:08- electric and things like that. - So move in properly tomorrow night?
0:37:08 > 0:37:10Yeah. I'll come and help you tomorrow.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12If you pack up tonight, all your bits and your bags.
0:37:12 > 0:37:14Yeah, I'll get everything sorted.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17I'm pretty excited now that I've got my own place, finally.
0:37:17 > 0:37:21With councils preventing young people becoming homeless in just one
0:37:21 > 0:37:25of five cases, Callum is definitely one of the more fortunate ones.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27And seeing as it's moving day,
0:37:27 > 0:37:30I'm rolling up my sleeves to help him get settled in.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35- It's a good space, isn't it? And it's fairly light.- Yeah.
0:37:35 > 0:37:38'Having the stability of his own permanent home is a massive
0:37:38 > 0:37:41'step forward for Callum.'
0:37:41 > 0:37:44From not having nothing to being in my own place now,
0:37:44 > 0:37:46I'm moving up. I've stuck at it.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49I've gone to my appointments and spoke to Vicky.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52I've done everything she's asked me. I've not been lazy.
0:37:52 > 0:37:54I've been sort of up and about.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57So I'm glad to see that it has all paid off, in a sense, yeah.
0:37:57 > 0:38:04I hope it's the launch pad for something really, really enjoyable.
0:38:04 > 0:38:05Yeah, hopefully, yeah.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08'Now he's got his own place, Callum can look to the future.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11'He is hoping to continue his education.'
0:38:11 > 0:38:14I'm thinking, right, not that I'm trying to organise things,
0:38:14 > 0:38:16but that is the perfect place for a bookshelf, right there.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19- It's where you can put all your books.- That would be all right, yeah.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22- That is asking for a little desk. - In the corner.
0:38:22 > 0:38:26Don't do what I said, do whatever you like. It's your place, mate.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29It only really strikes me what Callum has been through
0:38:29 > 0:38:33when I see his baggage - there just isn't enough.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35This is not a big flat by any means,
0:38:35 > 0:38:38but his worldly possessions fit into about...
0:38:40 > 0:38:42I don't know, seven plastic bags.
0:38:42 > 0:38:47He is missing some of the most important bits that you need
0:38:47 > 0:38:49to have a life by yourself -
0:38:49 > 0:38:52things like a bed, a fridge -
0:38:52 > 0:38:56but luckily a delivery has just arrived, thanks to Vicky.
0:38:57 > 0:38:59As well as finding him a place to live,
0:38:59 > 0:39:02it's also part of support worker Vicky's job
0:39:02 > 0:39:05to give him all the basics he needs to set up home,
0:39:05 > 0:39:06but it doesn't stop there.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11- This is what they call a full service, Vicky.- It is.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14Where you are actually making your client's beds for them.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18I am worried some people might accuse the council of being too soft
0:39:18 > 0:39:19and handing Callum everything on a plate.
0:39:19 > 0:39:23There are going to be people watching this who are going to look at it and go,
0:39:23 > 0:39:27"OK, so he's got the flat. He's been given, you know, the cooker
0:39:27 > 0:39:30and the other things that people have to work very hard for."
0:39:30 > 0:39:34And have you got results where you can say, "No, this works."
0:39:34 > 0:39:38By giving people the proper start, it prevents that problem later on.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40- Because that's what you need, isn't it?- Yeah.- Hard results.
0:39:40 > 0:39:46The amount of tenancies that fail reduce significantly
0:39:46 > 0:39:49if they have a support worker, just to set them up initially
0:39:49 > 0:39:52and make sure that everything is paid.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55With a lot of these guys, particularly if they are a little bit younger,
0:39:55 > 0:39:56it is a little bit easy...
0:39:56 > 0:39:59- Hold on, I've gone inside out. - No, that's right.- I've done it.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01- I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it.- All right, you do it.
0:40:01 > 0:40:03I've got it! I've got it!
0:40:03 > 0:40:05When they are a bit younger, it is quite easy for them to bury
0:40:05 > 0:40:09their heads in the sand and think, "Oh, it is all going to go away".
0:40:09 > 0:40:11And it doesn't. It just gets worse.
0:40:11 > 0:40:15Not necessarily just young people... People that have got
0:40:15 > 0:40:19a poor education, people that have mental health issues.
0:40:19 > 0:40:23- It seems like Callum has been very lucky...- Yes.- ..from this point.
0:40:23 > 0:40:28What is it that, in his situation, that has triggered this place
0:40:28 > 0:40:31and this package that comes with it?
0:40:31 > 0:40:34Callum's quite fortunate to have a support worker
0:40:34 > 0:40:36that nominated him for this property.
0:40:36 > 0:40:41Everybody in temporary accommodation has to have a support worker,
0:40:41 > 0:40:43just so we can keep the process...
0:40:43 > 0:40:46You know, we make sure that we are we are receiving housing benefit
0:40:46 > 0:40:49for the temporary accommodation, we're bidding, we're looking...
0:40:49 > 0:40:53We're teaching them to budget while they're in that temporary accommodation as well.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55The more time I spend with Callum,
0:40:55 > 0:40:59the more I am realising how support like this really might help
0:40:59 > 0:41:01make sure he doesn't end up back on the streets.
0:41:03 > 0:41:10He's gone from homelessness to being part of "generation rent",
0:41:10 > 0:41:14being a renter with his own place, within a matter of weeks.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19It feels like it is quite a steep learning curve
0:41:19 > 0:41:21to pick up all the things you need to do,
0:41:21 > 0:41:22and the skills you need to get,
0:41:22 > 0:41:25to be able to run your own place properly.
0:41:26 > 0:41:28The flat is really coming together.
0:41:28 > 0:41:32Now what Callum needs to learn is how to look after guests.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34Yeah, it's his house now.
0:41:34 > 0:41:38Got to get this on the go as quickly as possible, but it's not my job.
0:41:38 > 0:41:40It's the householder's job to get the kettle on.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45Callum!
0:41:45 > 0:41:48'Without Vicky and Salford Supported Tenancies Service,
0:41:48 > 0:41:50'things could be very different for Callum,
0:41:50 > 0:41:53'but he needs to know she won't be there for him forever.'
0:41:53 > 0:41:58What do we do now with Callum, is that it? Do we just back off?
0:41:59 > 0:42:02Support won't carry on for much longer.
0:42:02 > 0:42:04Realistically, I'll probably be supporting
0:42:04 > 0:42:06and focusing my time on the next
0:42:06 > 0:42:09- person that moves into Callum's old flat.- Right.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12It seems positive and you just...
0:42:12 > 0:42:14At this moment, you want to kind of bottle it in a way
0:42:14 > 0:42:19- and just keep this hope. - This is the good part of the job.
0:42:19 > 0:42:24This is the results. This makes what coming to work is all about.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30Since Callum moved in, he's been doing really well.
0:42:30 > 0:42:34It is proving to be the fresh start that Vicky really wanted for him
0:42:34 > 0:42:38and Callum's even considering volunteering for the charity
0:42:38 > 0:42:41that provided a lot of his furniture.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44So far, good news for everyone involved.
0:42:48 > 0:42:49That's it for today.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52Join me next time, when I'll be learning more about what it
0:42:52 > 0:42:55takes to be a front-line housing officer.