0:00:02 > 0:00:04It's difficult to imagine calling this a home.
0:00:04 > 0:00:06'Everyone deserves a safe place to live.'
0:00:06 > 0:00:08So, that's a dead rat.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11'But with rents rising and demand increasing,
0:00:11 > 0:00:15'it's getting harder and harder to find a secure place to call home.'
0:00:15 > 0:00:19You can actually see the floorboards of the bathroom there.
0:00:19 > 0:00:20There is clear evidence that...
0:00:20 > 0:00:23- There is someone living down here. - Yeah.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25'I'm Matt Allwright, and I'm back with the Housing Enforcers.'
0:00:25 > 0:00:27Someone nicked your wheelchair?
0:00:27 > 0:00:29'I'm on the front line with those fighting for the right
0:00:29 > 0:00:30'to decent housing...'
0:00:30 > 0:00:33The amount of mould is quite shocking.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36The happiest residents of this property are the rats.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39'..as local councils and housing associations battle
0:00:39 > 0:00:41'problem properties and slum conditions...'
0:00:41 > 0:00:44This is just a scene of Dickensian misery.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47It, um, absolutely pen and inks!
0:00:47 > 0:00:48'..as they deal with dodgy landlords...'
0:00:48 > 0:00:51- SHOUTING - Whoa, what's that?- Calm down!
0:00:51 > 0:00:52'..nightmare neighbours...'
0:00:52 > 0:00:54There's a good chance that people will be evicted.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56'..and everything in between...'
0:00:56 > 0:00:57It does feel like we are close to the bottom
0:00:57 > 0:00:59of the housing ladder here.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03'..to help those in need of a happy and healthy home.'
0:01:03 > 0:01:06If there's something strange in your neighbourhood,
0:01:06 > 0:01:07who you gonna call?
0:01:11 > 0:01:13'Today, a property inspection presents
0:01:13 > 0:01:15'a rather nasty and dangerous surprise.'
0:01:15 > 0:01:19I'm looking at a nightmare scenario here where there you are,
0:01:19 > 0:01:21you've got your key at the door, trying to get in,
0:01:21 > 0:01:24your son or daughter is playing around here,
0:01:24 > 0:01:27- and then you've got this drop, straight down onto...- Yeah.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31'An anti-social tenant pushes neighbours close to the edge.'
0:01:31 > 0:01:33Stressful, upsetting,
0:01:33 > 0:01:37we can't cope living next door to people like that.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39- Mm.- And it's just been a nightmare for us.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42'We meet the young homeless men
0:01:42 > 0:01:44desperate to turn their lives around...'
0:01:44 > 0:01:46It started off, the worst was when I went on
0:01:46 > 0:01:49a three-month binge of drinking a litre of vodka a day,
0:01:49 > 0:01:52and I tried to go cold turkey, which was the worst thing to do,
0:01:52 > 0:01:55and I ended up being rushed to hospital for a detox,
0:01:55 > 0:01:56cos I collapsed.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00'..and a missing tenant becomes a cause for concern.'
0:02:00 > 0:02:03HE KNOCKS AT THE DOOR
0:02:03 > 0:02:05Strange.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08So, we are still waiting to find out exactly where he is right now.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10- Yeah.- Wow, OK.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14Behind every door, there's a little bit of a detective story.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22Making sure everyone has got the chance to find and keep a roof
0:02:22 > 0:02:26over their heads is the job of housing officers across the UK.
0:02:26 > 0:02:31I'm working alongside these men and women who use the law
0:02:31 > 0:02:33to make sure we don't live in slums,
0:02:33 > 0:02:36but in homes fit to raise a family or enjoy our retirement.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39They can make sure you have the facilities you need
0:02:39 > 0:02:40as you get older.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44They also have the power to enforce a landlord to sort out
0:02:44 > 0:02:47a dangerous property, or help evict a bad tenant.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49It's definitely a challenging role.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53Welcome to the world of the Housing Enforcers.
0:02:55 > 0:02:56'I'm starting out here
0:02:56 > 0:02:59'in this beautiful part of Essex coastline,
0:02:59 > 0:03:02'joining housing officers Rob Goswell and Ian Kavanagh.'
0:03:02 > 0:03:05Well, Rob, Ian, you bring me to the nicest places.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08- Once again, a seaside town. Dovercourt.- Yes, Dovercourt.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12- Lovely Dovercourt.- Felixstowe in the background.- That's correct, yeah.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14Well, it's a lovely day out,
0:03:14 > 0:03:16but I assume we are here for a good reason.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18Yeah, well, we've been called from another team,
0:03:18 > 0:03:23they've reported it to us. It's our disabled facilities grants team.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25'The council can provide money to homeowners,
0:03:25 > 0:03:28'landlords or indeed, tenants, if they need to make changes
0:03:28 > 0:03:32'to improve disabled access and facilities in their property.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34'Things like ramps or stairlifts.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38'The grants team recently assessed a tenant's application here,
0:03:38 > 0:03:40'but they found a few problems,
0:03:40 > 0:03:44'so they've sent out our dynamic duo to investigate.'
0:03:44 > 0:03:47They cannot process the further works
0:03:47 > 0:03:49until we've dealt with the issues.
0:03:49 > 0:03:50So, effectively, at the moment,
0:03:50 > 0:03:52we've got someone here who can't live in their home,
0:03:52 > 0:03:55and we've got to deal with this post-haste, so they can,
0:03:55 > 0:03:58you know, make their lives a bit easier.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01'This grand old building is certainly handsome, and given its
0:04:01 > 0:04:05'seafront location, could have been a hotel or guesthouse in the past.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08'But today, it's self-contained flats, so the landlord
0:04:08 > 0:04:13'has to keep it up-to-date with 21st-century safety requirements.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15'Let's see if we can spot some of the issues the council's
0:04:15 > 0:04:19'disability grant team discovered on their visit.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21'Oh, look, there's one already.'
0:04:21 > 0:04:25We have a big drop down into a basement, sort of, recess there.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27It's not ideal.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29- You could be down there for a while without anybody knowing.- Yeah.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32Not only that, but it looks like it's concrete,
0:04:32 > 0:04:35so it's what we'd call a hard, unforgiving surface.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38To use the jargon! I don't see any external light.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40There are street lamps there and there,
0:04:40 > 0:04:43and that is a factor that increases the likelihood of someone
0:04:43 > 0:04:44falling down there.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47Especially as we are potentially dealing here with someone with
0:04:47 > 0:04:51a disability, you know, they may have trouble negotiating stairs,
0:04:51 > 0:04:52but we're not entirely sure, so...
0:04:52 > 0:04:55That's the first thing we've noticed.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58'That drop could prove lethal for anyone,
0:04:58 > 0:05:00'never mind a resident with disabilities.'
0:05:00 > 0:05:03Naturally, I would expect to find some kind of railing, but...
0:05:03 > 0:05:05Yeah, there probably was originally,
0:05:05 > 0:05:07but it's been removed over the years.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09We probably need something reinstalled, suitable,
0:05:09 > 0:05:12that will take any weight placed upon it or anything like that.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15- Two metres, metre and a half? - Yeah, about that, I'd say.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18'The stairs into the property do have a railing,
0:05:18 > 0:05:20'although this raises other safety concerns.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23'Fortunately for Rob and Ian, I'm on hand to offer
0:05:23 > 0:05:26'a little expertise, and I've brought my tape measure.'
0:05:26 > 0:05:30- So, the gaps there are too big. - Yeah.- Yeah.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33I don't know if you remember, in your travels, what the space was?
0:05:33 > 0:05:36Oh... I'm going to work that... This is a guess, I'm going to work
0:05:36 > 0:05:39- that it's got to be smaller than a child's head.- That's correct.- Yeah.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43- It's a 100 mil sphere. - 100 mil sphere.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46So, basically, any gap between handrails
0:05:46 > 0:05:48has got to be less than ten centimetres.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50What the idea is, again,
0:05:50 > 0:05:52what you were saying about the fall down there, what we don't want
0:05:52 > 0:05:55is someone who's had a few take a tumble and then fall between them.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58I'm looking at a nightmare scenario here where, there you are,
0:05:58 > 0:06:01you've got your key at the door, trying to get in,
0:06:01 > 0:06:03your son or daughter is playing around here,
0:06:03 > 0:06:06- and then you've got this drop straight down onto...- Yeah.- Oh, yes.
0:06:06 > 0:06:11It's a hard surface, and it's an uneven surface, if you like,
0:06:11 > 0:06:14it's steps going down, so if a small child falls out through here,
0:06:14 > 0:06:15he's going to fall through,
0:06:15 > 0:06:18he's probably going to land and then he's going to roll down further,
0:06:18 > 0:06:20and then there's another hard surface at the bottom,
0:06:20 > 0:06:22so, you've got this uneven surface,
0:06:22 > 0:06:25it's not going to be a clean landing.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27Because of it, it raises the potential harm
0:06:27 > 0:06:30that the child is going to suffer quite, well...
0:06:30 > 0:06:33Anybody who falls through here, but most likely a child,
0:06:33 > 0:06:36it raises it, so that's how we'll score it up as well,
0:06:36 > 0:06:38we'll take that into consideration.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42'If that wasn't bad enough, there are more potential hazards
0:06:42 > 0:06:44'lying in wait at the bottom of the steps.'
0:06:44 > 0:06:46Yeah, you stand on the edge.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49If I just actually put my weight on that, that's how loose it is.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51Don't put your...
0:06:51 > 0:06:54That's why stepping with my weight there means it's going up there,
0:06:54 > 0:06:56- so that's far from ideal. - No.- You think that has just...
0:06:56 > 0:06:58It's just slipped, it's just moved,
0:06:58 > 0:07:00it just needs to be put back in, I think.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02I was just worrying if there was a hole.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04- No, there's no hole there, I don't think.- You sure?
0:07:04 > 0:07:06Yeah, I'm pretty certain, have a look.
0:07:06 > 0:07:07If I stand on it, you look under.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11- Done it?- Yeah, there's a hole there. - Oh, there is a hole?- Yeah.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15Ah, there is a hole. Right, OK, that definitely needs to be dealt with.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17'With what we have found just on the outside,
0:07:17 > 0:07:20'it's beginning to become clear why the council's
0:07:20 > 0:07:24'disability access team referred this property to Rob and Ian.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29'Later, we see just why that disabled resident needs our help.'
0:07:29 > 0:07:31Um, and it's for somebody like this,
0:07:31 > 0:07:35- that's why the work needs to be done.- Yes, absolutely,
0:07:35 > 0:07:37this poor gentleman, he's got to be able to live in his home.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40'And I get to ask some tough questions to the landlord.'
0:07:40 > 0:07:43Today Rob and Ian came along to sort out a few issues,
0:07:43 > 0:07:46is that a phone call that you dread?
0:07:49 > 0:07:54Anti-social behaviour - three little words that can mean
0:07:54 > 0:07:58a whole lot of trouble for both tenants and housing officers.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01For tenants, it's no fun living next door to noisy neighbours,
0:08:01 > 0:08:04overgrown gardens, or having a collection of refuse
0:08:04 > 0:08:07dumped unceremoniously on your doorstep.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10And for the housing officer, well,
0:08:10 > 0:08:14tackling anti-social behaviour can mean having to play the role
0:08:14 > 0:08:19of policeman, diplomat and counsellor all rolled into one.
0:08:22 > 0:08:23In the London Borough of Havering,
0:08:23 > 0:08:27housing officer Liam is on his way to visit an HMO,
0:08:27 > 0:08:30or house of multiple occupancy.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34By allowing separate tenants to occupy different rooms
0:08:34 > 0:08:37in the same house, HMOs play an important part in easing
0:08:37 > 0:08:39the housing shortage crisis.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42But increasing the number of people in a property can lead
0:08:42 > 0:08:46to its own problems, like the ones facing Liam today.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49We are on our way to one of our HMO properties,
0:08:49 > 0:08:53where we've had a lot of issues over the last few months regarding,
0:08:53 > 0:08:57er, residents causing anti-social behaviour - smoking cannabis,
0:08:57 > 0:09:03partying, smashing the property, criminal damage, the works, really.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05There's not many people left there,
0:09:05 > 0:09:07there's only one resident left there,
0:09:07 > 0:09:09he's on the verge of going to court to be evicted,
0:09:09 > 0:09:11but the property's still in a bad state
0:09:11 > 0:09:14and he's causing still a lot of problems there.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17Even though there is only one tenant remaining in the property,
0:09:17 > 0:09:20Liam wants to check the behaviour has improved,
0:09:20 > 0:09:23but the resident isn't making it easy for the council.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26The maintenance guys have been trying to gain access to
0:09:26 > 0:09:28the property for the last week,
0:09:28 > 0:09:31we've had points where he's put screws through the door,
0:09:31 > 0:09:34fingers crossed he's not wedged it and we can just open the door.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37If not, we are going to have to somehow force it open.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40Liam is joined today by fellow housing officer Gail.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43I wonder if he HAS barricaded the door.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46They are hoping they will have more luck gaining access
0:09:46 > 0:09:49to the property than their maintenance team did.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52HE RATTLES THE KEY IN THE LOCK
0:09:52 > 0:09:54That lock's dead. No lock in there.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57SHE KNOCKS AT THE DOOR
0:09:57 > 0:09:59So, no luck getting through the front door,
0:09:59 > 0:10:04but Liam and Gail aren't ready to wave the white flag just yet.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08A friendly neighbour may offer them an alternative solution.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11I'm going to quickly see if I can get access from the back.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14The next-door garden provides
0:10:14 > 0:10:16a little more unorthodox manner of entry.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20- Liam springs into action. - This... This panel.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22Whoops!
0:10:22 > 0:10:24Just nearly killed meself!
0:10:24 > 0:10:25No, it's not a problem.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28Life as a housing officer is never short of surprises.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30Do you think if I lift this, it'll be all right?
0:10:30 > 0:10:32- This one.- That one? I'll do it, I'll do it.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34No, this might need two people.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36If you can get the other...
0:10:36 > 0:10:37OK.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42Liam finally makes it into the tenant's garden,
0:10:42 > 0:10:44but yet again, there's no sign of him.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47Got in to see if the rear of the property might be open,
0:10:47 > 0:10:50to see if we can gain access, because he's, er,
0:10:50 > 0:10:53wedged the door closed on the front, so we can't gain access.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56So, I was hoping we might be able to get in via the rear door,
0:10:56 > 0:10:59it might have been left open, but there's no windows open...
0:10:59 > 0:11:01- That one is.- Where?
0:11:01 > 0:11:04- This long one.- Which one?- There. That one, look.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11Yeah, but that's into his room. I can't go in there.
0:11:11 > 0:11:12I can go in here, it's communal.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15I can't go in there, it's his bedroom.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24It's the council.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27HE KNOCKS AGAIN
0:11:29 > 0:11:31I was hoping that he might have opened the rear door,
0:11:31 > 0:11:33because the front door seems like it's jammed,
0:11:33 > 0:11:35but he's not responding.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38He might be in, he might not, so, um, that's all I can do for now,
0:11:38 > 0:11:40really, there's nothing else I can really do.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43I can't gain access, so I can't really do anything about it.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45Unfortunately for the team,
0:11:45 > 0:11:47there is no way of gaining access to the property to see if
0:11:47 > 0:11:51the final remaining tenant is still there, but the neighbour wants them
0:11:51 > 0:11:54to know the scale of the problems her family have had to endure.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57She is happy to let us use her voice, but not her face.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00How has it made you feel, having, obviously,
0:12:00 > 0:12:03the people like that next door to you?
0:12:03 > 0:12:05Stressful. Upsetting.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08We've been threatened.
0:12:08 > 0:12:09Um...
0:12:09 > 0:12:13- We can't cope, living next door to people like that.- Hmm.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15They're inconsiderate,
0:12:15 > 0:12:17they're lucky to have a place to live,
0:12:17 > 0:12:19and they abuse it.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21And you've approached them before, haven't you,
0:12:21 > 0:12:25- and asked them, politely, to... - Politely.- ..to turn the noise down.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28- Yes.- And have a little bit more respect.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30It's affected all the family.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32My daughter couldn't come home from university,
0:12:32 > 0:12:36so she's had to stay up. It was exams time.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38We couldn't sleep at night.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41We complained about our car being vandalised.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44It's just upsetting, because we have to go to work,
0:12:44 > 0:12:46and we can't sleep at night.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49You're stressed before you even go to work.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52You're stressed in the morning. The music was on, at one point,
0:12:52 > 0:12:5648 hours, and it's just been a nightmare for us.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59Nightmare I think just about covers it.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03No-one should have to endure that kind of stress in their own home.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05By working with the council, though, hopefully the ordeal
0:13:05 > 0:13:08will soon be over for everyone living nearby.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12What we've got there is a really good example
0:13:12 > 0:13:15of how, when you've got some help from the neighbours
0:13:15 > 0:13:17and all the information that we've collected
0:13:17 > 0:13:21on these tenants, how helpful that is to us
0:13:21 > 0:13:23and helps us to do our job properly.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27Later, Liam and Gail return to the property...
0:13:31 > 0:13:33SHE MOUTHS
0:13:33 > 0:13:35..and this time they get in.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37Hello? Council!
0:13:37 > 0:13:39Anyone home?
0:13:44 > 0:13:47Homelessness among young people in the UK
0:13:47 > 0:13:52is on the rise. It's estimated that as many as 80,000 under-25s
0:13:52 > 0:13:54experience it, either sleeping rough,
0:13:54 > 0:13:57squatting or sofa-surfing.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01Of course, not having a roof over your head is desperate for anyone,
0:14:01 > 0:14:04but the effects can be particularly damaging for the young.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08Some organisations, like Action Housing in Rotherham,
0:14:08 > 0:14:10are offering radical solutions.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12Nathan Watson is a key worker here.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16Homelessness for young people is a massive issue and I think
0:14:16 > 0:14:17that it's not discussed enough,
0:14:17 > 0:14:21and I don't believe there's enough funding pumped into this field
0:14:21 > 0:14:23to give these young people a good opportunity,
0:14:23 > 0:14:26because some of them may be care-leavers,
0:14:26 > 0:14:29they may have been asked to leave home by their parents.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32They obviously have a lack of opportunity
0:14:32 > 0:14:34that other people may have and, hopefully,
0:14:34 > 0:14:37this is what we want to give back to these young people,
0:14:37 > 0:14:40give them the opportunity in life to excel
0:14:40 > 0:14:42and do the best they can for themselves.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45Action Housing supports vulnerable young people
0:14:45 > 0:14:48by offering them a secure place to live,
0:14:48 > 0:14:52like this brand-new unit called Parkgate.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55Parkgate not only provides a roof over their heads
0:14:55 > 0:14:57but also life skills and training
0:14:57 > 0:15:00to prepare them for a more stable existence.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03Project manager Jo Beeley is making sure the place is ready
0:15:03 > 0:15:07for the first residents, who move in in just three weeks' time.
0:15:07 > 0:15:13Through here, we have what's going to be our training room.
0:15:14 > 0:15:19Training sessions in here can be anything from pre-tenancy courses,
0:15:19 > 0:15:21so, what it's like to be a good neighbour,
0:15:21 > 0:15:24how to pay your bills,
0:15:24 > 0:15:26the budgeting, key working sessions.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29It can be substance misuse sessions,
0:15:29 > 0:15:32therapeutic, but also what we think's important
0:15:32 > 0:15:35to build that structure, that responsibility.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39It's estimated that as many as 30% of young homeless people
0:15:39 > 0:15:41have spent time in the care system.
0:15:41 > 0:15:42Given this background,
0:15:42 > 0:15:45many will be missing out on essential life skills
0:15:45 > 0:15:47that most of us take for granted.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49This room is our kitchen.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52It's a training kitchen. We've got two ovens,
0:15:52 > 0:15:56two sinks, and this will be where all the clients come and cook
0:15:56 > 0:15:58and socialise.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00There is going to be a big dining table for them to sit and eat,
0:16:00 > 0:16:03we'll be able to do some cook-and-eat sessions with clients,
0:16:03 > 0:16:05what is healthy eating, you know,
0:16:05 > 0:16:07what do you do with a potato,
0:16:07 > 0:16:09what do you do with vegetables,
0:16:09 > 0:16:12and how you batch-cook, so living on a budget,
0:16:12 > 0:16:14those kind of things.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18It might seem simple, but for the young people who'll live here,
0:16:18 > 0:16:20this training could be invaluable.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24And Jo's keen to get them started.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27I'm very excited. I think we all are.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30I think there's a real buzz around our organisation at the minute,
0:16:30 > 0:16:34that this building, this project, is giving us
0:16:34 > 0:16:38something more than we've ever had before.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42We've got something real that...
0:16:42 > 0:16:45that is really needed within Rotherham for young people.
0:16:47 > 0:16:5023-year-old Chris
0:16:50 > 0:16:52and 21-year-old Aaron
0:16:52 > 0:16:54will be amongst the first to move in.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57Before he came onto Action Housing's radar,
0:16:57 > 0:17:00Chris was training as a chef, then it all went wrong.
0:17:00 > 0:17:05The reason why I got kicked out from my mum's is, like I say,
0:17:05 > 0:17:08I was at uni, but I was getting depressed,
0:17:08 > 0:17:10I wasn't enjoying the course,
0:17:10 > 0:17:11I had a lot of family problems
0:17:11 > 0:17:13and I just kind of turned to drink.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16I was just drinking ridiculous amounts.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18Drinking every day, getting dependent upon it.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21It started off, the worst was when I went on a three-month binge
0:17:21 > 0:17:24of drinking a litre of vodka a day, and I tried to go cold turkey,
0:17:24 > 0:17:26which was the worst thing to do,
0:17:26 > 0:17:29and I ended up being rushed to hospital for a detox,
0:17:29 > 0:17:32cos I collapsed, and it...
0:17:32 > 0:17:34That was probably the worst...
0:17:34 > 0:17:35The worst time.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39More than two-thirds of homeless young people
0:17:39 > 0:17:41leave home because of a family breakdown.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45With young people often considered a low priority by councils,
0:17:45 > 0:17:48it can leave them facing homelessness alone and scared.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51I would say it's very important to be around other people
0:17:51 > 0:17:54because I...from my own experience,
0:17:54 > 0:17:56I used to shelter myself away from people,
0:17:56 > 0:17:58and it didn't do me any favours.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01The new place that we're hopefully moving into soon
0:18:01 > 0:18:02is going to have a communal kitchen,
0:18:02 > 0:18:05but everyone's got their own flat with an en suite,
0:18:05 > 0:18:08and there's going to be more staff and more activities.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11They're going to have a communal room
0:18:11 > 0:18:14so that all the residents that normally shelter themselves
0:18:14 > 0:18:15in the flat and not socialise,
0:18:15 > 0:18:18they've got the opportunity to socialise.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21Chris is hoping the move to Parkgate will help him get his life
0:18:21 > 0:18:24back on track, and enable him to reconnect with his family.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27I haven't spoken to my family for a long time,
0:18:27 > 0:18:30cos I knew that I didn't want to have any contact with them
0:18:30 > 0:18:32until I knew that I was better,
0:18:32 > 0:18:34and I'm slowly but surely getting there.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39Aaron's also desperate for a fresh start.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43He's been in temporary accommodation after finding himself unemployed.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47I got into cannabis, I had to move in here because I couldn't
0:18:47 > 0:18:51move back into my mum's because my sister and niece have moved in.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54I went to the council. There was nowhere for me, apart from here.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58I couldn't move back into my mum's cos I've got ADHD and all that.
0:18:58 > 0:18:59So I had to move in here.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03For Aaron, the new centre could also be a valuable stepping-stone
0:19:03 > 0:19:06to securing his own council tenancy
0:19:06 > 0:19:08and getting work as a builder.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10I've already got my Level 1 in construction,
0:19:10 > 0:19:12cos hopefully, after that,
0:19:12 > 0:19:15I'd be able to get my CSCS card and then go straight back on site,
0:19:15 > 0:19:16so it's all good.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19Once I move out of here, move up to Parkgate,
0:19:19 > 0:19:21I'll be moved on.
0:19:21 > 0:19:22If I pay all my bills,
0:19:22 > 0:19:25do all my rent, keep my flat tidy,
0:19:25 > 0:19:29I'll be moved on to my own accommodation, which is what I want.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32Later on, it's moving-in day...
0:19:32 > 0:19:35Chris? Are you ready?
0:19:35 > 0:19:39..although things are not quite running according to plan.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42Chris has not got up on time this morning.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46Just grab a few bags, we'll move up with them.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53Defending our right to a safe place to live
0:19:53 > 0:19:56is the job of housing officers right across the UK.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58This is how they live.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01It's almost like he's declared war on everybody living here.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03- Everybody?- It's not just you guys.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06I'm working alongside the men and women that do exactly that.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09Whoever was here had their last couple of parties
0:20:09 > 0:20:11and then decided to give it up.
0:20:11 > 0:20:12Hitting the streets,
0:20:12 > 0:20:15finding out what's happening on the front line...
0:20:15 > 0:20:18This is a good example of a good old waste of council time.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22..as we make sure a house is a fit place to call a home.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24There's a strong smell of damp.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26You notice it as soon as you come in the property.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29We're going to have no choice but to take them to court.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31Job well done.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39Back in Dovercourt in Essex,
0:20:39 > 0:20:41I'm with housing officers Rob and Ian,
0:20:41 > 0:20:44inspecting a house in multiple occupation.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47One of the tenants requires improved disabled access,
0:20:47 > 0:20:49such as decent railings or a ramp,
0:20:49 > 0:20:53but our assessment has thrown up some serious safety issues.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56We have big drop down into a basement.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59You could be down there for a while without anybody knowing.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02So far, we've only inspected the exterior.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05Time to see if things are any better inside.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08So, what's the story here? What do you think so far?
0:21:08 > 0:21:11Well, I mean, I've looked around in one of the flats upstairs,
0:21:11 > 0:21:13and there's a fire door on virtually every room,
0:21:13 > 0:21:16which is not something we would ask for.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18There's a fire door on bedrooms, living rooms,
0:21:18 > 0:21:20even the toilet had a fire door...
0:21:20 > 0:21:23- This may have been a guesthouse. - Or something. Originally.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27It's got a full fire alarm system. We've even got emergency lighting.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29Risk of fire is always the main concern
0:21:29 > 0:21:31with houses in multiple occupancy,
0:21:31 > 0:21:33so that's good news.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36But will the disabled tenant's flat be just as safe?
0:21:36 > 0:21:38- That was good.- Yeah.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41Good afternoon. Tendring Council.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44Hiya. We need to inspect your room...
0:21:44 > 0:21:46We're allowed inside,
0:21:46 > 0:21:48although the tenant doesn't want to appear on camera.
0:21:48 > 0:21:52It's clear, though, the extent of the challenges that he's facing
0:21:52 > 0:21:56and why improved access and facilities could prove very welcome.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58We've got a front room that the tenant,
0:21:58 > 0:22:02who clearly is going through quite a lot of health challenges...
0:22:02 > 0:22:06- Absolutely. - And it's for somebody like this,
0:22:06 > 0:22:09- that's why the work needs to be done.- Yes.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11This poor gentleman, he's...
0:22:11 > 0:22:13He's got to be able to live in his home,
0:22:13 > 0:22:16and until we can come along and give it the OK, he can't.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19So, to make his life better,
0:22:19 > 0:22:21cos we're up on the...second floor?
0:22:21 > 0:22:23I'd say it's second.
0:22:23 > 0:22:24Second.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28So we need to be able to make sure he can get up to his flat.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30Get up to his flat, indeed, yeah,
0:22:30 > 0:22:33so he's got access, he's got safe access that he can use,
0:22:33 > 0:22:34but first things first.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37We have to get every other hazard within the property sorted out
0:22:37 > 0:22:40before they can even consider what they're going to do.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42He's in a stunning place here.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44They're lovely big flats, aren't they?
0:22:44 > 0:22:45- Big flats.- Seafront.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47Fine location.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49Right over the seafront, lovely balcony.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52- Rob's making the most of that. - Rob's sunbathing.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55There's clearly plenty of work needed to make the place
0:22:55 > 0:22:58more comfortable for this tenant, but looking around,
0:22:58 > 0:23:01I'm encouraged by what the landlord's already provided.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04Self-closing fire doors, but internal doors.
0:23:04 > 0:23:09- Usually, you'd expect to see them on HMO front doors.- Exactly.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12So each individual unit would need that so they could contain a fire.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15The door that opens onto the means of escape, effectively.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18- Right.- It's well above what we would ask for,
0:23:18 > 0:23:21if we were to come in and this was not up to standard.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24- We've found a property that's over-spec'd.- Over-spec'd.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28- Wow.- I know. We don't often find that.- No.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30We certainly don't, but at the end of the day,
0:23:30 > 0:23:33it's all about ensuring the tenant has somewhere to live
0:23:33 > 0:23:36that's safe, secure and accessible.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39It's interesting, looking around,
0:23:39 > 0:23:42again, the evidence of family life...
0:23:42 > 0:23:44He seems like a naval guy,
0:23:44 > 0:23:47which is what you'd expect, coming to near Harwich,
0:23:47 > 0:23:52and here we are, just trying to make things a little bit easier...
0:23:52 > 0:23:55to be able to enjoy his flat again, properly.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59But, you know, there are many stages to the process.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03Not straightforward at all.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06So, while the exterior needs some work, internally,
0:24:06 > 0:24:10the landlord seems to have taken his responsibilities seriously,
0:24:10 > 0:24:12and exceeded the safety requirements.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15That landlord is Harry Ruparelia,
0:24:15 > 0:24:18who also owns a number of other properties in the area
0:24:18 > 0:24:19as well as the corner shop.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22I get the feeling he's quite well known around these parts.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24Most of my tenants come through me
0:24:24 > 0:24:29because the word of mouth is, I've been here 25 years in this town,
0:24:29 > 0:24:32and so I get, every day, calls,
0:24:32 > 0:24:35have I got accommodation,
0:24:35 > 0:24:36because I...
0:24:36 > 0:24:39probably am a good landlord.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41And then dealing with the council.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43I mean, today, Rob and Ian came along
0:24:43 > 0:24:45- to sort out a few issues.- Yeah.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48- Is that a phone call that you dread? - No.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50I used to.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52I used to dread when it came
0:24:52 > 0:24:56because I'd rather they come, and if there is something wrong,
0:24:56 > 0:25:01I'd rather correct it than fight with them.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03- They also know exactly where to find you.- Yeah. Definitely.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05So you're there, open all hours.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08They can find me, they phone me all the time
0:25:08 > 0:25:11and I answer my phones. I don't ignore.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13Do you think landlords get a bad press, generally?
0:25:13 > 0:25:15Yes. They definitely get a bad press.
0:25:15 > 0:25:20People don't understand. It's not easy. You put your own risk
0:25:20 > 0:25:22and if your mortgage is not paid,
0:25:22 > 0:25:24nobody is going to help you out.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28I know there are some landlords who...rogue landlords,
0:25:28 > 0:25:34but the majority of landlords are decent landlords.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37What would happen, then, for a lot of your tenants
0:25:37 > 0:25:39if you weren't providing them with housing?
0:25:39 > 0:25:41They would be homeless.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45Definitely. Because in Tendring, there is no accommodation.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49So if people like us are not there,
0:25:49 > 0:25:51then...
0:25:52 > 0:25:54..it will be chaotic,
0:25:54 > 0:25:56because they'll have to put them in bed-and-breakfasts,
0:25:56 > 0:26:00which is going to cost the councils a lot of money.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03We don't often get the chance to see housing challenges
0:26:03 > 0:26:06from the other side of the fence, so to speak,
0:26:06 > 0:26:09so hats off to Harry for fronting up to the cameras
0:26:09 > 0:26:12with his side of things. But where does that leave Rob and Ian?
0:26:13 > 0:26:16We've got a few issues here to deal with.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18There is issues there, as you know,
0:26:18 > 0:26:20with getting in and out of the property,
0:26:20 > 0:26:23- so we'll try and get this done as soon as possible.- Yeah.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26- The landlord seems to be on board, so...- Irrespective of who's here,
0:26:26 > 0:26:29whether we've got somebody who's applying for
0:26:29 > 0:26:31a Disabled Facilities Grant or not, the work still needs to be done.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34We have tenants here, anybody could move out,
0:26:34 > 0:26:37the gentleman applying for the Disabled Facilities Grant
0:26:37 > 0:26:38could move out,
0:26:38 > 0:26:41and somebody else could move in and we've still got those hazards,
0:26:41 > 0:26:44they don't go away until we ask the landlord to deal with them.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46So, probably without knowing it,
0:26:46 > 0:26:49- he's actually done the other tenants a favour.- Exactly.
0:26:49 > 0:26:50He's called it in,
0:26:50 > 0:26:52he's given you guys a chance to come in and have a look,
0:26:52 > 0:26:55which will sort out things that they might have wanted
0:26:55 > 0:26:58- to have done for some time.- Exactly. And to be honest with you,
0:26:58 > 0:27:00if it wasn't for our disabled team
0:27:00 > 0:27:03coming in and inspecting the property,
0:27:03 > 0:27:05we may never have heard about this,
0:27:05 > 0:27:07unless a tenant makes a complaint.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09So I would say to any tenants out there,
0:27:09 > 0:27:12make a complaint if you've got a problem with your housing.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15You live with things every day and you just make do.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17You don't realise just how bad they truly are.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19And you don't want to find out in worst way,
0:27:19 > 0:27:20- by something bad happening.- Exactly.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23And that's what we're here for, at the end of the day.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26Just to make people's life better in their homes.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28Good work, guys.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31- Thank you.- Brilliant work. Brilliant work.- Thank you.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37I'm pleased to say that, since our visit,
0:27:37 > 0:27:41the landlord has completed almost all of the work
0:27:41 > 0:27:43identified by Rob and Ian,
0:27:43 > 0:27:46but at present, the tenant's disability grant is on hold
0:27:46 > 0:27:48while more investigations are carried out
0:27:48 > 0:27:52to assess whether the accommodation is suitable for his needs.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03Earlier, in Havering, housing officers Liam and Gail
0:28:03 > 0:28:06tried to access a multiple-occupancy property
0:28:06 > 0:28:09to tackle tenants about their anti-social behaviour.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11We're stressed in the morning.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14The music was on, at one point, 48 hours.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17Although there's now only one resident remaining,
0:28:17 > 0:28:21Liam and Gail were still having problems tracking him down.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25But they've returned and it looks like they can get into the property
0:28:25 > 0:28:28using a more traditional method this time.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31They've made it inside.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33Will the troublesome tenant be here?
0:28:33 > 0:28:35Hello? Council!
0:28:35 > 0:28:37Anyone home?
0:28:43 > 0:28:45Abandonment notice on that.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47He's still not been back, has he?
0:28:47 > 0:28:49Cos he would have taken it off the door.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52It doesn't look like there's much sign of life,
0:28:52 > 0:28:56and the last tenant didn't bother to tidy up either.
0:28:56 > 0:28:57No, it's not changed.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00It's been like this since... It was exactly like this
0:29:00 > 0:29:04- when I came here last time. - See, there's a black bag in here.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06Two weeks ago, that knife was on the side.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09Do you want me to chuck that black bag out?
0:29:09 > 0:29:10- We can do.- There could be maggots.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13The knife and all that on the side was exactly the same
0:29:13 > 0:29:16when I came here last time. No-one's been in here.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18Upstairs is the same as well.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20This is one of the rooms of a resident
0:29:20 > 0:29:23that has abandoned the property.
0:29:23 > 0:29:27He was evicted at the end. He abandoned it, then got evicted.
0:29:27 > 0:29:29He's just left his belongings and left.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31He left the windows open. We closed the windows.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34But it's been left like this for three to four months.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37There is no sign of him coming back. We did leave it open
0:29:37 > 0:29:39because his belongings are still in here,
0:29:39 > 0:29:40and he's got a right to get them,
0:29:40 > 0:29:43but it's got to a point now where we're just going to clear it out
0:29:43 > 0:29:46and lock the door. As you may see, they have to change the whole door
0:29:46 > 0:29:48because they've actually kicked the door in to get in here.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50This is how they live.
0:29:50 > 0:29:52Bit of a state, really.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54Although disappointed about the state of the property,
0:29:54 > 0:29:57there is at least the relief that the anti-social behaviour
0:29:57 > 0:30:00might now be at an end.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03This is the worst HMO that we've had in the borough.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05Every day we came here, they didn't care.
0:30:05 > 0:30:07We walked in, it stank of cannabis.
0:30:07 > 0:30:09They'd walk into their room
0:30:09 > 0:30:11and we'd see them walk into their room.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14I'd knock on their door and they wouldn't even answer the door,
0:30:14 > 0:30:16even though I've seen them walk into the room.
0:30:16 > 0:30:18They'll just close the door, lock it and hide.
0:30:18 > 0:30:20So they didn't want to help themselves.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22The neighbour broke down crying in front of me before
0:30:22 > 0:30:25about the problems. They'll switch on music and leave it on overnight
0:30:25 > 0:30:27and go out, and just leave the music playing,
0:30:27 > 0:30:29just so it annoys the neighbours,
0:30:29 > 0:30:31threatened them, damaged their vehicles.
0:30:31 > 0:30:32There's a bus stop outside,
0:30:32 > 0:30:36they've been abusive to people getting on and off the buses.
0:30:36 > 0:30:38This is just an ongoing bad problem here.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43Now that we've actually been able to gain access,
0:30:43 > 0:30:45we're going to have to arrange to have clean-ups,
0:30:45 > 0:30:47doors replaced and secured,
0:30:47 > 0:30:51and the place put back to its normal state
0:30:51 > 0:30:54before we can start putting people back in here,
0:30:54 > 0:30:57so we suspect now that number two has been abandoned,
0:30:57 > 0:31:01so we'll probably write up a letter this week and serve it,
0:31:01 > 0:31:03and if they don't contact us in seven days,
0:31:03 > 0:31:05we will then enter the room,
0:31:05 > 0:31:08clear it out and start work on the property,
0:31:08 > 0:31:12getting it back up to scratch and getting it back out rented.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15But a further examination reveals that getting this property
0:31:15 > 0:31:19back into action might be a bigger job than Liam was hoping.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21As you can see, they've stuck screws in the door
0:31:21 > 0:31:23and were screwing them closed into the frame
0:31:23 > 0:31:26to stop us from gaining access, so it stops us from getting in.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29Every time we tried to open the door, it was locked.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31When they wanted to leave, they'll unscrew it.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34So when I came in here, there was a power drill on the floor there,
0:31:34 > 0:31:37and they were drilling it closed, locking themselves in,
0:31:37 > 0:31:39and as you can see, the screws are still in there.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42Yeah, as you can see, the door frame is cracked,
0:31:42 > 0:31:44the inside's cracked, and the ceiling's cracked,
0:31:44 > 0:31:47where they've actually tried to gain access
0:31:47 > 0:31:50by kicking and slamming the doors, cracked it to pieces
0:31:50 > 0:31:52and actually made it pretty brittle.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55This is all stuff that's going to have to be repaired
0:31:55 > 0:31:57before we rent it back out,
0:31:57 > 0:32:00so this is not good for us, this is in the centre of Romford,
0:32:00 > 0:32:01this property's worth a lot of money
0:32:01 > 0:32:04and the disrespect that the residents had for it,
0:32:04 > 0:32:07they just didn't care. They'd just break things, damage things,
0:32:07 > 0:32:09and walk away and think it's fine,
0:32:09 > 0:32:12and it's us who pays for it at the end, you know?
0:32:12 > 0:32:14So, from here, there'll probably just take their stuff,
0:32:14 > 0:32:17move away and they'll have to go to another council
0:32:17 > 0:32:19because we will not house them again,
0:32:19 > 0:32:21and they'll do the same thing again, end up in an HMO,
0:32:21 > 0:32:24they'll treat it the same way, with no respect, damage it,
0:32:24 > 0:32:26and end up being evicted
0:32:26 > 0:32:28and they'll just go round in one vicious circle,
0:32:28 > 0:32:32so, no, feel sorry for... I feel sorry for the landlords
0:32:32 > 0:32:34because they're the ones who own the properties
0:32:34 > 0:32:35and they're the ones...
0:32:35 > 0:32:38It's their properties and they're getting damaged. So...
0:32:38 > 0:32:40It's a sad day, but we have to deal with it.
0:32:40 > 0:32:42Life of a warden!
0:32:47 > 0:32:49Never a dull moment, Liam,
0:32:49 > 0:32:52but at least the property is safely back in the hands of the council,
0:32:52 > 0:32:55and that means that it won't be long before it can be offered
0:32:55 > 0:32:57to those in need of a safe and secure home.
0:32:57 > 0:32:59And with the tenants gone,
0:32:59 > 0:33:02at least the neighbours can finally rest easy.
0:33:07 > 0:33:09One of the things you learn pretty early on
0:33:09 > 0:33:12when you spend time with housing officers
0:33:12 > 0:33:15is that there's no such thing as an average day.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18You never really know what you're going to find
0:33:18 > 0:33:19behind each door you enter.
0:33:19 > 0:33:23Here in Southampton, I'm with Hyde Housing Association officer
0:33:23 > 0:33:25Stephen Key.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28He's discovered a few signs that all might not be well
0:33:28 > 0:33:30with one of his tenants.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33I've seen that the garden's overgrown in the back,
0:33:33 > 0:33:35so it looks like he may not be able to...
0:33:35 > 0:33:38- Are we talking about a young guy, someone a bit older?- Older guy.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42Housing officers soon learn to spot the telltale signs
0:33:42 > 0:33:45that a tenant might be struggling,
0:33:45 > 0:33:48so a timely visit can stop problems building up in the future.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51But there are immediate and worrying signs
0:33:51 > 0:33:54that things might not be right at the property.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57- He'll definitely be in.- He's in? - Yeah. He doesn't go out.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00It's just him getting to the door which is the problem.
0:34:00 > 0:34:01It takes a little bit of a while?
0:34:02 > 0:34:05Just want to check over the back because I...
0:34:05 > 0:34:07I can't see his commode there,
0:34:07 > 0:34:09- because he has a commode near the door.- Right.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11So I don't know if...
0:34:11 > 0:34:13Is the back gate usually open?
0:34:13 > 0:34:15Yeah.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18Just want to make sure that he's...
0:34:18 > 0:34:21that he's not in the kitchen.
0:34:24 > 0:34:25HE KNOCKS
0:34:27 > 0:34:28Strange.
0:34:28 > 0:34:30Given the tenant's health problems,
0:34:30 > 0:34:34Stephen knows it's unusual for him to be out of the house.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36Alarm bells are beginning to ring.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41So, Stephen, you seem a bit concerned about the situation here.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44- We've knocked on a lot of doors. - Yeah.- And not gained entry.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47Why in this particular case does it concern you?
0:34:47 > 0:34:51Because usually the resident generally is housebound,
0:34:51 > 0:34:53so he wouldn't usually leave the home
0:34:53 > 0:34:56unless he had care or support to take him out.
0:34:56 > 0:34:58After failing to rouse the tenant,
0:34:58 > 0:35:01Stephen decides to investigate further, and after a quick chat
0:35:01 > 0:35:05with one of the neighbours, he discovers some disturbing news.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08He advised me that yesterday he had concerns for the neighbour.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11He didn't see any lights on for the last two days
0:35:11 > 0:35:14and he was worried about him possibly...
0:35:15 > 0:35:18..being in some sort of danger, so he called the police yesterday.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21They turned up and broke into the property
0:35:21 > 0:35:23and they found no evidence of him being there.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27- So we're still waiting to find out exactly where he is right now.- Yeah.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30Wow. OK. Behind every door...
0:35:30 > 0:35:33- Yeah.- It's a little bit of a detective story
0:35:33 > 0:35:37- and it's sort of a personal drama... - Always.- ..going on.- Yeah.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40This new development is clearly a big worry for Stephen,
0:35:40 > 0:35:44so he starts calling around other agencies who work with the tenant
0:35:44 > 0:35:47to see if they can shed some light on the situation.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50I was wondering if I could speak to someone about someone
0:35:50 > 0:35:52you guys are involved with.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55I've just got some concerns because I've gone to visit him today
0:35:55 > 0:35:56and he's not at the property.
0:35:56 > 0:36:00So I didn't know if he had been put into care again
0:36:00 > 0:36:02or if he had been admitted to hospital.
0:36:02 > 0:36:06Finally, after several tense calls, he makes a breakthrough
0:36:06 > 0:36:10as one of the agencies reveals the tenant is safe and well.
0:36:10 > 0:36:11So they know where he is.
0:36:13 > 0:36:15But they're going to wait until tomorrow to let me know.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18Presumably data protection and all these sort of things
0:36:18 > 0:36:21come into play here, where they are only going to be telling you
0:36:21 > 0:36:24the information you need to know in your role,
0:36:24 > 0:36:27but it sounds like they are being cagey
0:36:27 > 0:36:29or they're being careful, at least,
0:36:29 > 0:36:32about how much information, they don't want to give you
0:36:32 > 0:36:35- more information than you need to do your job.- Yeah, it's...
0:36:35 > 0:36:38I can understand why because it may be something quite sensitive
0:36:38 > 0:36:39to the person and the family,
0:36:39 > 0:36:42so it may be that tomorrow when I get a call I'll know more
0:36:42 > 0:36:44and it's probably better that
0:36:44 > 0:36:46it comes from the person that's been dealing with him
0:36:46 > 0:36:49than someone that's got notes on the system, which tomorrow they will
0:36:49 > 0:36:51probably be able to give me a lot more information on where he is.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53I can tell Stephen's relieved,
0:36:53 > 0:36:56even though he still doesn't know exactly where the tenant is.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58It must be frustrating
0:36:58 > 0:37:00when he has the best interests of the tenant at heart.
0:37:00 > 0:37:04We all appreciate the need for privacy and the need for...
0:37:04 > 0:37:07But does it actually get in the way sometimes of you being able
0:37:07 > 0:37:09- to do your job?- Sometimes it can.
0:37:09 > 0:37:11It can slow a lot of processes down, so we could, for instance,
0:37:11 > 0:37:14if they were able to tell me, we would know where he is
0:37:14 > 0:37:16and if there was anything we could do.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19It's probably going to be better when we speak to them tomorrow
0:37:19 > 0:37:21so we can get a better picture of where he is
0:37:21 > 0:37:24and what we can do to help him, if there is anything we can do.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26It may be that he has had to return back to care.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38Stephen's experience demonstrates yet again
0:37:38 > 0:37:42how the life of a housing officer is anything but routine.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45Fortunately a follow-up call with agency services confirmed
0:37:45 > 0:37:48the resident had been temporarily put into care
0:37:48 > 0:37:51while his needs were reassessed.
0:37:51 > 0:37:53I'm pleased to say he is now back living at home
0:37:53 > 0:37:57with extra support in place, so a happy ending.
0:38:04 > 0:38:06It's a big day back in Rotherham.
0:38:06 > 0:38:07The opening of Parkgate,
0:38:07 > 0:38:11a new nine-bedroom accommodation unit for homeless young people.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13It was always going to be a mad rush.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16We've been based here trying to ensure that everything's ready
0:38:16 > 0:38:18for opening, but as you can imagine,
0:38:18 > 0:38:23you're never fully ready, no matter how much preparation you do.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26This morning, key worker Nathan and colleague Sue were picking up
0:38:26 > 0:38:30Parkgate's very first residents, Aaron and Chris,
0:38:30 > 0:38:34from their temporary accommodation, to take them to their new home.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39But they seem to be having trouble getting Chris out of bed.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42Chris? Are you ready?
0:38:42 > 0:38:45Chris has not got up on time this morning.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47That should be everything there that I need.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49He's partly packed,
0:38:49 > 0:38:51so he's just rushing around now to get his stuff together.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54He shouldn't be too long.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57Just grab a few bags, we'll just move up with them,
0:38:57 > 0:38:59so you've got summat to move with,
0:38:59 > 0:39:03and then we can come back and we can do this in your own time in the day.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07Whilst Chris gets himself together...
0:39:07 > 0:39:09- Good morning.- Morning.
0:39:09 > 0:39:10..Aaron's raring to go.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14It means a lot from moving out of here into Parkgate. It's all good.
0:39:14 > 0:39:15I can't wait to move.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19Homelessness amongst young people is on the rise,
0:39:19 > 0:39:23so schemes like this one can prove invaluable to Aaron and Chris,
0:39:23 > 0:39:26especially when struggles with drugs and alcohol
0:39:26 > 0:39:29have made their situations more challenging.
0:39:31 > 0:39:33This could be a brand-new start.
0:39:35 > 0:39:37But what will they make of their new home?
0:39:42 > 0:39:44Spot on.
0:39:44 > 0:39:45Can't complain with this.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48It's nice. Very nice.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51Clean. Fresh.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53Yeah, like it. Really do like it.
0:39:56 > 0:39:58Looks good.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00It's a proper bathroom.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10- So what do you think, then, Aaron? - It's all good.
0:40:10 > 0:40:11It's becoming reality now.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14Obviously we've got Aaron in, we've got Chris in,
0:40:14 > 0:40:16it's nice to see that they're settling in.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19It's nice to see big smiles on their face and...
0:40:19 > 0:40:21just to see them obviously enjoying theirself
0:40:21 > 0:40:24and relaxing in the new accommodation.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26They go in the drawer!
0:40:26 > 0:40:28Someone messing my room up already.
0:40:28 > 0:40:32Obviously Aaron's ultimate goal is to be looking at getting a CSCS card
0:40:32 > 0:40:34so he can be working on site building or looking at
0:40:34 > 0:40:37getting an apprenticeship, so hopefully this accommodation
0:40:37 > 0:40:41now provides him with a stable home to go out and achieve that goal.
0:40:41 > 0:40:42It seems Aaron has already started
0:40:42 > 0:40:45putting his practical skills to good use.
0:40:45 > 0:40:49On Friday I built these wardrobes, chairs in all six rooms.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52On Thursday I were working outside, working on the maintenance,
0:40:52 > 0:40:55moving blocks, basically being a labourer.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58It's all voluntary but at the end hopefully you get your CSCS card.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01So it's all worth it in the long run.
0:41:01 > 0:41:03And they're still standing, look.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05They're not falling to pieces...
0:41:05 > 0:41:08They're not falling to pieces, so it's all good.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11Time to check out the facilities.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13So obviously that's the communal kitchen, Chris,
0:41:13 > 0:41:16so obviously this is where it would be like a training kitchen,
0:41:16 > 0:41:20- so obviously you're helping out young people at cooking.- Yeah.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23And having trained as a chef before becoming homeless,
0:41:23 > 0:41:27Chris is well placed to help with the running of the unit.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30What we'd like to see Chris doing, because he's a trained chef,
0:41:30 > 0:41:33we'd like him to see us, working alongside us as a volunteer
0:41:33 > 0:41:37so he can sort of take in some of our young people under his wing,
0:41:37 > 0:41:40showing them the basics in cooking, and giving them skills,
0:41:40 > 0:41:44which I think you are up for, aren't you, Chris? You would like to do.
0:41:44 > 0:41:46- Yeah. Once I get this off.- Yeah!
0:41:50 > 0:41:53- SUE:- Are you happy, then, Chris? - Lovely.- Is it like you expected?
0:41:53 > 0:41:55Better, better than I expected. This is brilliant.
0:41:55 > 0:41:59- It's lovely inside, isn't it?- Yeah. Definitely is. I can't fault it.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03- Everything's here you need. - The white is very crisp and clean.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06That's what I said, yeah, it's really fresh, even though
0:42:06 > 0:42:10the building outside looks older, inside it's quite modern, isn't it?
0:42:10 > 0:42:13- Yeah.- It is nice. - Deceptive facade.- Yeah.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15It is definitely a deceptive facade.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22With the boys settled in, Nathan and the team can now begin
0:42:22 > 0:42:24preparing them for their lives ahead.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29Young men aren't the most notorious for expressing theirself
0:42:29 > 0:42:32but I mean, you can see by moving them young men in today
0:42:32 > 0:42:34what it means to them.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37I mean, hopefully, the ultimate outcome is that these young people
0:42:37 > 0:42:41gain the skills which they need to maintain the tenancy
0:42:41 > 0:42:42and they move on into independence
0:42:42 > 0:42:45and they no longer need guys like us to support them.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47That's the end result.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50I'm happy to report that since that visit,
0:42:50 > 0:42:54both Chris and Aaron have reconnected with their families,
0:42:54 > 0:42:56and thanks to the guys at Action,
0:42:56 > 0:43:00they are now looking to move into their own properties very soon.
0:43:00 > 0:43:01We wish them well.
0:43:07 > 0:43:09That's it for today, but join me again next time
0:43:09 > 0:43:13when I'll be back on the front line with the housing enforcers.