0:00:02 > 0:00:06This programme contains some strong language and scenes which some viewers may find upsetting
0:00:06 > 0:00:07- I was evicted yesterday...- Yes.
0:00:07 > 0:00:12Me and my two daughters, um, and basically I've got nowhere to go.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16Britain is in the grip of a housing crisis.
0:00:16 > 0:00:17- I have nowhere to stay now.- OK.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19Where I stayed last night, I can't stay.
0:00:19 > 0:00:24This is a film about one of the worst affected areas in the country.
0:00:24 > 0:00:28The property you gave my daughter... it's a shit-hole.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30How am I meant to get my kids to school?
0:00:30 > 0:00:33I'm not prepared to bury my daughter.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35She's threatening to commit suicide and everything, and it's all down
0:00:35 > 0:00:38to the Government, cos the Government let all the shit
0:00:38 > 0:00:39in the country.
0:00:39 > 0:00:44- We are an island and we're sinking. Stop letting the- BLEEP- lot in!
0:00:44 > 0:00:48High rents, the benefit cap and a lack of social housing
0:00:48 > 0:00:51has meant homelessness in the London borough of Barking and Dagenham
0:00:51 > 0:00:56has increased by nearly 350% in the last four years.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58- It's not for me. It's for my mum and dad.- OK.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01For nine months, we've followed residents as they struggled
0:01:01 > 0:01:03to keep a roof over their heads.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05I'm not going to live outside.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07My kids need a place to sleep.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09Madam, we will have a look at the case for you.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12Put yourself in my own shoes. I'm a human being.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16CHILD WAILS
0:01:16 > 0:01:22- TANNOY:- 'Ticket number 2,001, please go to interview room three...'
0:01:22 > 0:01:23- Number ten? - BOTH:- Yeah.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25- What can I do for you?- Basically...
0:01:25 > 0:01:27- We want somewhere to live.- Yeah.
0:01:27 > 0:01:28We got evicted.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32- I'm homeless and I've been sofa surfing at a friend's house...- OK.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35- ..and I'm pregnant.- You need to bring your pregnancy book.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39Can you make sure you list your last five years' address history, OK?
0:01:39 > 0:01:44'We have an absolute torrent of people that are being evicted.'
0:01:45 > 0:01:48'Rents in Barking and Dagenham are through the roof'
0:01:48 > 0:01:52and so the demand that we have for social housing
0:01:52 > 0:01:55just really outweighs the supply.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58- This way, please.- Number 14.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01Which, you know, we're a housing option service without any options.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03At the moment... I'm sleeping in my car at the moment.
0:02:03 > 0:02:04I've got no other choice.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08They won't put me in temporary housing because I'm not a priority, apparently.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10Barking and Dagenham Council's housing office
0:02:10 > 0:02:14is the first port of call for residents facing homelessness.
0:02:14 > 0:02:15Calm down...
0:02:15 > 0:02:16To be offered accommodation,
0:02:16 > 0:02:21applicants are assessed according to very strict criteria set by law.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24I've got two kids and I can't just go out on the streets again.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26We need to look into this, so...
0:02:26 > 0:02:30This means housing officers can only help the most vulnerable.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32We need to be satisfied that you're homeless.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34Today I'm homeless and you're telling me
0:02:34 > 0:02:36you need to look into the case?!
0:02:36 > 0:02:37Well, that's the law.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40And so we do do our investigations and we have to do them thoroughly.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44There's five criteria that you have to meet to be eligible
0:02:44 > 0:02:46for assistance, and you have to meet all five of 'em,
0:02:46 > 0:02:48so it's a bit like the Grand National...
0:02:48 > 0:02:51If you fall at one of the hurdles, you're not finishing the race.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53- So, it's Lynnette?- Yes.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56Right. Lynnette, my name's Simone.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58- I'll be doing your assessment today, OK?- OK.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01Are you actually homeless?
0:03:01 > 0:03:06- Yes, I've kind of been staying with my boyfriend.- OK.
0:03:06 > 0:03:07But she can't stay at mine no more either,
0:03:07 > 0:03:11because my landlord is like... he's giving it to me in my neck.
0:03:11 > 0:03:12OK.
0:03:12 > 0:03:1621-year-old Lynnette is struggling to afford to rent by herself
0:03:16 > 0:03:18after recently losing her job.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20You've not got any income at the moment, Lynnette?
0:03:20 > 0:03:24- No, I've literally just lost my... - Just applied for Jobseeker's?- Yeah.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26Right. We need to look at priority need,
0:03:26 > 0:03:29and a priority need can be because you're pregnant
0:03:29 > 0:03:33or you've got a physical or mental disability
0:03:33 > 0:03:36that means that you would be less able to fend for yourself
0:03:36 > 0:03:39than an ordinary person if you were on the streets.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43When my father passed away, when I was nine years old,
0:03:43 > 0:03:45I wrote a suicide note then,
0:03:45 > 0:03:48which is quite odd for a nine-year-old,
0:03:48 > 0:03:52but they figured that it kind of affected me,
0:03:52 > 0:03:55and then when I was 13,
0:03:55 > 0:03:59I was self-harming and I had an eating disorder.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02And how's that now? Are you still self-harming?
0:04:02 > 0:04:07Yeah, I mean, not cutting myself, but...
0:04:07 > 0:04:09There's other ways that you can self-harm.
0:04:09 > 0:04:14- With the paracetamol overdose, that's happened more than once.- OK.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17Right, bear with me a moment. I'm just going to go and speak to
0:04:17 > 0:04:21the team leader with regards to your case and I'll be back shortly.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES
0:04:24 > 0:04:28She's been suffering from depression which, on its own,
0:04:28 > 0:04:31is not enough of a priority need.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35But she's attempted suicide recently,
0:04:35 > 0:04:38and it was quite a serious attempt.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42In order for a homeless applicant to be offered assistance,
0:04:42 > 0:04:46housing officers must get the approval of their managers.
0:04:46 > 0:04:47Rich, this one...
0:04:48 > 0:04:50..I think we're going to have to place her.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53Her medical's not that...brilliant,
0:04:53 > 0:04:56but her suicide attempt was quite serious.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59- Four days she was in, and really high levels...- Suicide? How?
0:04:59 > 0:05:01She took a massive overdose.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05Normally I would look at it as chasing a priority,
0:05:05 > 0:05:06but that was a big overdose.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12I don't think she's... I don't think that was chasing a priority.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15They kept her in for four days. She only got discharged yesterday.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20So, apart from the attempted suicide, the only thing that's...
0:05:20 > 0:05:22That's the only thing that's really...
0:05:22 > 0:05:26It's the only thing. There's no other medical apart from the attempted suicide.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30- Other than that...- Well, she's tried to kill herself, so...
0:05:30 > 0:05:32Well, she's attempted, not tried.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35I am convinced that that was a serious attempt.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43- If we...- If you looked at that now - not a priority.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45Yeah, I know.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48But I think that if we were to put her on the streets,
0:05:48 > 0:05:51we would create a priority right there and then.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58It's not an easy decision to make when you make decisions
0:05:58 > 0:05:59that affect people's lives.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02But we don't have the resources to support everyone
0:06:02 > 0:06:04that comes through the door.
0:06:04 > 0:06:09It sounds cold, but you can't have too much emotion
0:06:09 > 0:06:12when you're dealing with a case, because it can affect your judgment.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15A young girl tried to commit suicide last week,
0:06:15 > 0:06:17she was in hospital for four days.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19What's happened is, the landlord who rents the room to the boyfriend
0:06:19 > 0:06:21- has found out that there's a partner there...- OK.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24- ..and he's asked her to leave. - All right.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27The boyfriend's said there's no way she can return back to his property.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29Cos we've spoken to the landlord? How do we know he's not making it up?
0:06:29 > 0:06:31We haven't spoke to the landlord yet, no.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33- So, that's another issue we don't know.- Yeah.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35It's just what the boyfriend is saying.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37Have we seen the tenancy agreement?
0:06:37 > 0:06:38No.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44At the moment, we can't verify her homelessness,
0:06:44 > 0:06:46we haven't spoken to the landlord.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Well, the boyfriend's here and said that she stays nights with him
0:06:49 > 0:06:50but she can't stay there permanently.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52- How do you know he's telling the truth?- Well...
0:06:52 > 0:06:54How do you know he's a tenant?
0:06:54 > 0:06:56We haven't seen copies of the tenancy agreement,
0:06:56 > 0:06:58- so you'll need to contact the landlord.- OK.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00'It's an emergency service.'
0:07:00 > 0:07:04Just like an A&E with limited resources, which we're experiencing
0:07:04 > 0:07:07at a sort of rate which I've not experienced before.
0:07:07 > 0:07:08I find that it's very...
0:07:08 > 0:07:12Most people who come through the system have a difficult time.
0:07:12 > 0:07:13Yes.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17'I don't think it's an experience many people would choose to pursue.'
0:07:17 > 0:07:21All right, lovely. Thank you very much. Thanks, bye! Bye.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26'I can't imagine why someone would want to expose
0:07:26 > 0:07:31'the most intimate details about themselves to get a property.'
0:07:35 > 0:07:40- Right, tenancy agreement for... in his name alone.- Excellent.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42Based on the information you've now presented to me...
0:07:42 > 0:07:45I understand that she's homeless. OK.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50- Thank you.- OK. Right.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55Do you know what temporary accommodation is?
0:07:55 > 0:08:00It's emergency accommodation that we provide for you
0:08:00 > 0:08:02- while we carry out our investigations.- OK.
0:08:02 > 0:08:07- But...TA's quite scarce. You're not looking at the Ritz, OK?- OK.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10- But it is a roof over your head and it is what it is.- That's fine.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13So, basically, today's your initial assessment.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17We will need to make a decision in your case about whether
0:08:17 > 0:08:19we owe you a duty of assistance.
0:08:22 > 0:08:23- INTERVIEWER: - You seem to really care.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26There are times in my life where I've been skint
0:08:26 > 0:08:29and I haven't had anywhere to go, you know.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32They reckon in this country we're all only about three paycheques away
0:08:32 > 0:08:34from being homeless.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39Uh, tenant with one child...
0:08:40 > 0:08:43Owing just over £5,000...
0:08:43 > 0:08:46When was the last payment? A year ago.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49She's been working full-time since December '15...
0:08:49 > 0:08:51She's got no reason for non-payment.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54Well, what I would do, if there are no objections,
0:08:54 > 0:08:56is agree for the eviction to go ahead.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00With nearly 14,000 people on their housing waiting list,
0:09:00 > 0:09:03the council are under constant pressure to free up properties.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05And there's £5,000 owed?
0:09:05 > 0:09:07Carry out the eviction, please.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10Nearly 20,000 council homes have been sold since the Right to Buy
0:09:10 > 0:09:15was introduced in 1980, meaning they have lost half their stock.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19Someone who hasn't bothered to pay anything for 12 months
0:09:19 > 0:09:22clearly does not want to live in the property.
0:09:22 > 0:09:23Are we OK with that?
0:09:23 > 0:09:24'In this borough,
0:09:24 > 0:09:26'council housing used to be two thirds
0:09:26 > 0:09:29'and now it's only one third.'
0:09:29 > 0:09:31The number of homes we're building is less than the number
0:09:31 > 0:09:33we're selling through Right to Buy.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35Yeah? So we're reducing all the time.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39The best way to look at housing allocation is to look at it
0:09:39 > 0:09:40like it's a cake, yeah?
0:09:40 > 0:09:44The reality is the people waiting to go into properties
0:09:44 > 0:09:48are 50 times more than the number of properties that we have.
0:09:48 > 0:09:54So therefore, you have to try and find the best mechanism, yeah?
0:09:54 > 0:10:00To cut up the cake and give it to the people who are the most hungry.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04We've got one previous eviction. It's straight back to his old ways.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06So I'm authorising the eviction.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09'But we get vacant properties because we evict people'
0:10:09 > 0:10:12who haven't paid their rent or behaved badly,
0:10:12 > 0:10:18but mainly our voids come because tenants die.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23You all right? You know about my mum, don't you?
0:10:23 > 0:10:24- Oh, yeah, I'm so sorry.- Yeah, yeah.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26You know the council are trying to evict me.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28- Yeah, they're trying to evict him. - Oh!
0:10:28 > 0:10:31- Cos your mum lived here for years, didn't she?- Yeah, since I was eight.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34And I only moved out two years and the council said that
0:10:34 > 0:10:36I'm not entitled to the premises.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38- That's bad, isn't it? - Oh, that's bad, it is bad.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- It's a joke, really. - Cos your mum was here for years.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44I only moved out three years ago, and then Mum became housebound
0:10:44 > 0:10:45and then I moved back.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48And they're saying because I moved back last March,
0:10:48 > 0:10:51it's only seven months, so I'm not entitled to the house.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54- Oh, it's bad, isn't it? - It is bad, it is.- I know, I know.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57- But I hope you get on...- Cheers. - I hope you get on...- See you later. See you later, girls.
0:10:57 > 0:11:03After his mum passed away last year, 39-year-old supermarket worker Ricky
0:11:03 > 0:11:06applied to succeed her council tenancy.
0:11:06 > 0:11:11I received an e-mail that said there would be a letter in the post
0:11:11 > 0:11:14with the decision of what happens with the house today.
0:11:16 > 0:11:20- Did you see that flat down there... - Mm-hm.- ..that was near Pam's?
0:11:20 > 0:11:23Yes. The fella bought that, but now it's up for let.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25£1,100 a month.
0:11:25 > 0:11:30If I could afford £1,100, I might as well get a mortgage.
0:11:32 > 0:11:33Do you know what I mean?
0:11:34 > 0:11:37And it just don't make no sense. Here's me neighbour.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39You've heard I'm being evicted, ain't ya?
0:11:39 > 0:11:42They want the house but they're not willing to give me nothing.
0:11:42 > 0:11:43Well, that's ludicrous, isn't it?
0:11:43 > 0:11:46What's the council said to you in terms of options?
0:11:46 > 0:11:49Basically, what they turned round and they said is,
0:11:49 > 0:11:51"Oh, we've got apartments available.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54"They're £900, but you can't claim housing benefit."
0:11:54 > 0:11:55I said, "I don't earn £900."
0:11:56 > 0:11:59And if you did earn £900, you wouldn't put it all on your rent.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03What, and leave myself with 50 quid for the month?! That's basically...
0:12:03 > 0:12:06And he went, "Sorry, we don't cater for single men."
0:12:06 > 0:12:09I have to private let and that's what they're saying,
0:12:09 > 0:12:11after 32 years of being here.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14Who could afford private rent? Who can?
0:12:14 > 0:12:17I can't afford £1,100, at £8 an hour!
0:12:17 > 0:12:21Sadly, the way the whole country is going, we're in for...
0:12:22 > 0:12:24- A meltdown.- ..just a nightmare.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26- Absolutely, a meltdown is the right word.- Yeah.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30There goes my postman. Gone. No letter for me.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33Dunno whether they're going to turn up and hand it to me,
0:12:33 > 0:12:36or if it ain't... I'm going to ring 'em, I think.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41It was on page five last week...
0:12:41 > 0:12:45"1,300 sign petition to keep Asda worker in the house
0:12:45 > 0:12:46"after his mum's death."
0:12:48 > 0:12:51- INTERVIEWER:- So, it's getting quite a bit of publicity?
0:12:51 > 0:12:54Yeah, yeah, it's... It's getting there.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56I mean, I do get asked when going up the shops,
0:12:56 > 0:12:59"Any news on your house?"
0:12:59 > 0:13:01People knocking and asking, "Any news?"
0:13:02 > 0:13:07Because I've been here for near on 32 years and we all know each other
0:13:07 > 0:13:09round this way.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11DIALLING TONE
0:13:11 > 0:13:14'Your call may be recorded for training and monitoring purposes.'
0:13:14 > 0:13:17MUSIC PLAYS DOWN PHONE
0:13:18 > 0:13:19This is it now.
0:13:21 > 0:13:22I...
0:13:32 > 0:13:34Yeah, that's correct, yeah, yeah.
0:13:40 > 0:13:41It's been declined?
0:13:45 > 0:13:47Well, 32 years.
0:13:48 > 0:13:5032 years.
0:14:06 > 0:14:07They declined it.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11RICKY EXHALES DEEPLY
0:14:15 > 0:14:16Hiya.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18So, what's the next step now?
0:14:20 > 0:14:23I'm going to be evicted from my family home?
0:14:23 > 0:14:26And I've got nowhere to go with no money?
0:14:32 > 0:14:35Yeah, but then what am I supposed to do with no money?
0:14:39 > 0:14:42I can't afford to private rent and I can't...
0:14:42 > 0:14:44RICKY SIGHS
0:14:49 > 0:14:50- HIS VOICE BREAKS - OK.
0:14:51 > 0:14:52All right. Bye.
0:15:06 > 0:15:11I don't... I don't know... I don't know what to do now.
0:15:18 > 0:15:19They said no.
0:15:19 > 0:15:24- They said no? Why? Have they been? - No, I rung up.- Oh, right.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27They declined and they're going to send me notice.
0:15:27 > 0:15:28RICKY SNIFFS
0:15:28 > 0:15:31- Are they going to find you anywhere? - No.- No?
0:15:33 > 0:15:34I'm not being horrible...
0:15:34 > 0:15:36This is where...
0:15:36 > 0:15:40I end up thinking, "I should just kill myself," because...
0:15:40 > 0:15:42No, don't do that!
0:15:42 > 0:15:45Don't get yourself all upset.
0:15:45 > 0:15:46I'll put my cold hands on you.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50- Don't be upset, Rick, please... - What am I going to do?- I don't know.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54- I'm 40 next week, and I've got no future at all...- No...
0:15:55 > 0:15:57I don't know.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11Now, this chap is single.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13He's able-bodied, he's in employment.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18There is nothing that says he must have this house, in my view.
0:16:18 > 0:16:23You know, we have to be very, very careful and satisfied that
0:16:23 > 0:16:27we're making the right decision when we give it to a person.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30We cannot be sentimental about it at all.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35Now, he wasn't living there all his life.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37This is the law of the land.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40He didn't live there for 12 months prior to the death of his mother,
0:16:40 > 0:16:43and therefore he cannot succeed that property.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47It splits the community. There is one half who would think,
0:16:47 > 0:16:51well, he's lived there since he was a child, his mother has passed on,
0:16:51 > 0:16:54why can't he just continue to live in the house?
0:16:54 > 0:16:59But on the other side you've got families with kids...
0:16:59 > 0:17:00who could use that property.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03CHILD CRIES
0:17:03 > 0:17:05INDISTINCT VOICE
0:17:05 > 0:17:08So, where have you been staying for the last couple of days?
0:17:08 > 0:17:11I've been in hotels with the baby.
0:17:11 > 0:17:12It's not been ideal, obviously.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15You have to wait till late to get 'em at a decent price.
0:17:15 > 0:17:20The reality is it's a housing crisis and it's not helped by the massive
0:17:20 > 0:17:23reduction in the monies that's going to be available to the council.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27- I'm in one bedroom, basically. - One bedroom.- With four people. Two kids.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31The Government think some local authorities are spending more
0:17:31 > 0:17:34on housing than they should do, and they should operate more like
0:17:34 > 0:17:37a business, and if they did and they saw it as their own money,
0:17:37 > 0:17:39perhaps, would they spend as much?
0:17:39 > 0:17:41You can no longer be on our waiting list.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43For one, you have no need for housing...
0:17:43 > 0:17:45Because if you're being hard-core
0:17:45 > 0:17:48and saying no to a lot more people, you're going to spend a lot less money.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52- Good morning.- Good morning. - So, what brings you here today?
0:17:52 > 0:17:54I need somewhere to live.
0:17:54 > 0:17:5854-year-old South African Jane came to the UK 12 years ago
0:17:58 > 0:18:00to work as a special needs teacher.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03However, since losing her job,
0:18:03 > 0:18:06she can no longer afford her rent and is now homeless.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09Are you currently on any medication?
0:18:09 > 0:18:13- I was in a very severe car accident. - OK, yes.- 2010.- Mm-hm.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17And my writing skills have totally just disintegrated after that.
0:18:17 > 0:18:18- Right.- Next Friday,
0:18:18 > 0:18:21I've got to go to the memory clinic for their feedback
0:18:21 > 0:18:23on the assessment they did on me.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27- Is that to see whether or not there was any damage to the brain?- Yeah.
0:18:27 > 0:18:28Bear with me one moment.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30All right?
0:18:30 > 0:18:32I just want to confirm her priority need.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35At the moment, she's not on any medication.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37- She had a car accident back in 2011. - All right.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40And it's affected her motor skills,
0:18:40 > 0:18:43so she's got an appointment with the memory clinic, and that's it.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45- No counselling...?- No. Nothing.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51Until she's had some sort of concrete information back,
0:18:51 > 0:18:55- then you go with the information you've got - she's not... - Yeah, non-priority.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57- That's fine.- There's nothing there that says it's a priority need.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59Yeah, thanks, Richard.
0:19:00 > 0:19:05- OK, so I've discussed your case with my management.- Ah-ha.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08We won't... I have to explain, we won't be able to assist you
0:19:08 > 0:19:11with any kind of accommodation at this point,
0:19:11 > 0:19:13so if you take a seat for me at the front,
0:19:13 > 0:19:15I'm just going to do you a quick letter.
0:19:17 > 0:19:18JANE EXHALES DEEPLY
0:19:18 > 0:19:21You need to have something wrong with you to be able to
0:19:21 > 0:19:25qualify for housing, not just be homeless, which is crazy.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28Because homeless is homeless.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33- What's your date of birth? - 12th July 1951.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36Most people are reliant on friends and family.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40What happens to the people that maybe don't have a friend or family?
0:19:40 > 0:19:42They become street homeless.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48For the people that are street homeless,
0:19:48 > 0:19:51we give out a list of homeless shelters.
0:19:51 > 0:19:52It's their only option.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04- Oh, I'm cold! - JANE LAUGHS
0:20:04 > 0:20:06You've got no idea how cold I was last night,
0:20:06 > 0:20:08I wish I had a sleeping bag.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13This was last night's home.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16Not very nice, because I was so scared, I didn't sleep at all.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18I was awake the whole night.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26And the worst part was not being able to go to the bathroom.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30PHONE RINGS
0:20:30 > 0:20:31'Hello?'
0:20:31 > 0:20:34I need accommodation for tonight at a night shelter, please.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37'What area are you in?'
0:20:37 > 0:20:40I'm in... I'm in Barking and Dagenham.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42'When did you become homeless?'
0:20:42 > 0:20:44Yesterday.
0:20:44 > 0:20:45'OK. And what happened?'
0:20:45 > 0:20:48I was put out and they took the house keys off me,
0:20:48 > 0:20:49so I can't go back.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53'OK, have you ever been in trouble with the police
0:20:53 > 0:20:56- 'for a sexual offence?'- No.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58- 'Violence?'- No.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00- 'Arson?'- No.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02'OK, what you need do
0:21:02 > 0:21:05'is you need to get yourself to Hartley Brook church.'
0:21:05 > 0:21:07- Thank you so much.- 'OK?'
0:21:07 > 0:21:08Thank you.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10'No problem. Bye.'
0:21:10 > 0:21:11Well, there you go.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13I've got somewhere to sleep tonight and it won't be in my car.
0:21:13 > 0:21:14Thank you.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18That is a miracle.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26I'm very aware of how little petrol I have in my car.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31I really didn't see this coming, since I've lost my job,
0:21:31 > 0:21:33and my priority has gone from
0:21:33 > 0:21:38being able to contemplate buying a property to...
0:21:38 > 0:21:41I've got one need. I need to be able to feed myself
0:21:41 > 0:21:45and clothe myself and have a bath so I don't smell.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48That's more important than thinking of buying a house.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56I never in a million years thought I would have to worry about...
0:21:56 > 0:21:58am I going to smell?
0:21:58 > 0:22:00Never.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03If I have paid into the system,
0:22:03 > 0:22:06hasn't the system then got an obligation to look after me?
0:22:10 > 0:22:16As the leader of this council, I cannot... On the allowance I get,
0:22:16 > 0:22:19I cannot buy a house in this borough now.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21- That is ridiculous.- Really?
0:22:21 > 0:22:23Yes. And we're the most affordable in London.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27We've lost over 50% of our stock under the Right to Buy,
0:22:27 > 0:22:31so there's no way as an organisation we can be that protector
0:22:31 > 0:22:33of all in the community.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39Our aspiration is to make sure we support as many
0:22:39 > 0:22:42of the vulnerable as we can, but we're getting to a stage now
0:22:42 > 0:22:46where London is not sustainable for the most vulnerable.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50Yeah? Or won't be in the near future.
0:22:50 > 0:22:56In the face of £153 million worth of cuts to their budget by 2020,
0:22:56 > 0:22:58the council is struggling to help those residents
0:22:58 > 0:23:01who are being priced out of the borough.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04If Government policy carries on as it is,
0:23:04 > 0:23:06there'll be some people
0:23:06 > 0:23:08who just cannot ever afford to live in London.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12- Yeah, absolutely.- Yeah, cos we've got vast tranches of our community
0:23:12 > 0:23:18who still believe that they are entitled to a council house.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21You know, we've allowed those people to go on thinking
0:23:21 > 0:23:25- that if I wait my ten years, I will get my house.- Yeah.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29And we have to actually go out there and say, "Do you know what?
0:23:29 > 0:23:32"It's not a 10-year wait. You're talking about a 50-year wait."
0:23:32 > 0:23:36But it's putting out that message, that entitlement
0:23:36 > 0:23:40is for a very, very limited number of people. We haven't done that.
0:23:44 > 0:23:48'Today, people still believe, rightly, the council's there
0:23:48 > 0:23:53'to support them, but they believe it in a way that is unachievable.'
0:23:53 > 0:23:54You all right?
0:23:54 > 0:23:58'There's still this myth that the council can magic up stock.'
0:23:58 > 0:24:02So what we would like to see is that we have other properties,
0:24:02 > 0:24:07but we've had no building programme since the Right to Buy, really.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10Which makes it even more difficult for us to deliver
0:24:10 > 0:24:13on what people believe they're entitled to.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16But we are where we are today,
0:24:16 > 0:24:18so we've just got to carry on with the decision-making
0:24:18 > 0:24:22that we've got to do, and some of it is really uncomfortable.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24Because at one time they could rely on us.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28Today they see us as being the Sheriff of Nottingham.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37- SATNAV VOICE: - Turn right onto Longbridge Road.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40I'm hoping I won't have to sleep with people who are drug users
0:24:40 > 0:24:42and I'm hoping I'm not going to have to sleep
0:24:42 > 0:24:44with a lot of men in the same room.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48- Turn left...- But a part of me thinks maybe sleeping in the cold
0:24:48 > 0:24:50would be a better option than sleeping with...
0:24:50 > 0:24:52strangers. I don't know.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03DOGS BARK IN BACKGROUND
0:25:21 > 0:25:22Hiya.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25- Steve.- Yeah. Hello.- I'm Jane.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28- Nice to meet you. Cold hands. - Yes, I am cold.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30Can I just take your name, please?
0:25:30 > 0:25:33- Well, you get a mattress.- OK.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36- Obviously lights are out at 11 o'clock. Do you smoke?- No.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40That's good. Yeah, lights are out at 11.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42- We're up at half past six.- OK.
0:25:42 > 0:25:43Put the bedding away,
0:25:43 > 0:25:46- have breakfast, leave here by about half past seven.- OK.
0:25:46 > 0:25:50All right? And then you do what you do during the day.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53Dinner will be just after eight.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55- Get something to eat, yeah? - Thank you.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57All right, no worries.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59Just make sure everyone's good and safe
0:25:59 > 0:26:02and make sure there's no...
0:26:02 > 0:26:05drugs, alcohol, fights...
0:26:05 > 0:26:08Not that I'm a bouncer at all.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13The Hope 4 Barking and Dagenham homeless shelter is funded
0:26:13 > 0:26:17by charitable donations and run by local churches,
0:26:17 > 0:26:21but it's only open for the coldest six months of the year.
0:26:21 > 0:26:22Thank you.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25- That's not mine.- No? Have you got bedding?
0:26:25 > 0:26:28- No.- All right. That's yours now. - Oh, thank you.
0:26:28 > 0:26:32However, with an increase of nearly 350% in homelessness,
0:26:32 > 0:26:34they are coming under increased pressure
0:26:34 > 0:26:37to remain open all year round.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41- There's one pillow.- Thank you. - Use that side. It's a bit grubby.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45The majority of people that come through our doors have been told
0:26:45 > 0:26:48they're not priority need by the council.
0:26:49 > 0:26:50These people are tired.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54They're tired and they're sad and they're desperate
0:26:54 > 0:26:56and they've had so much rejection.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59- If ever anyone needed a lesson in patience...- Yeah.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03..it is in these circumstances. I completely and utterly understand.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07- Why did you leave the...? - Because I couldn't... I couldn't afford the rent.- OK.
0:27:07 > 0:27:11But what shocked me was when one of the women from the Havering Council said,
0:27:11 > 0:27:14- "But you intentionally made yourself homeless." - Unfortunately, yeah.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17It's incredibly easy to make yourself intentionally homeless.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19The council has guidelines.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21From what I've seen,
0:27:21 > 0:27:24the person on the other side of the desk with their criteria
0:27:24 > 0:27:29isn't trying to find ways to help you, or reasons to help you.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34They're looking at it the other way. They're trying to go, "OK,
0:27:34 > 0:27:38"what here means we don't have to help you?"
0:27:43 > 0:27:44Thank you.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55Not knowing what it was going to be like before I got here,
0:27:55 > 0:27:56I was scared.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58But I will sleep well tonight.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04INDISTINCT VOICES IN BACKGROUND
0:28:05 > 0:28:08I'm really thankful...
0:28:19 > 0:28:21I don't have to sleep in my car tonight.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26I was really scared last night.
0:28:34 > 0:28:35Hello, is Mum there?
0:28:38 > 0:28:39Can I speak to her?
0:28:39 > 0:28:41CHILD SHOUTS IN BACKGROUND
0:28:43 > 0:28:45Hello, Mum?
0:28:45 > 0:28:47Can I ask you a favour?
0:28:47 > 0:28:50Can me and Christian stay this weekend?
0:28:54 > 0:28:56OK.
0:28:56 > 0:29:0022-year-old student Jodie, along with her partner, Tommy,
0:29:00 > 0:29:05and their son, Christian, have been homeless for the last three years.
0:29:05 > 0:29:09Can I just stay, like, one night? OK.
0:29:09 > 0:29:11Bye.
0:29:13 > 0:29:17She said she'll think about it. She's being a bit difficult today.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22And it's freezing.
0:29:25 > 0:29:29This all started when I was living with my mum and I was sharing a room with my little brother.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32He has special needs and he's got behavioural problems.
0:29:32 > 0:29:39And I found out I was pregnant and I didn't want to get rid of the baby.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43My mum kept me for a little while and then she said to me,
0:29:43 > 0:29:46"I'm sorry, but I can't keep you here."
0:29:50 > 0:29:53We've been sofa surfing since about 2013.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56Every single day it's about, "Where am I going to stay tonight?"
0:30:00 > 0:30:03What we do is we stay with friends and family.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06Do you want to see Grandad today?
0:30:06 > 0:30:08- No!- No?
0:30:11 > 0:30:13DOOR BUZZES
0:30:15 > 0:30:18Tonight, Jodie has arranged to stay at a friend's house.
0:30:18 > 0:30:20Are you OK? Put the telly on?
0:30:20 > 0:30:23You're tired, aren't you?
0:30:23 > 0:30:27When Jodie asked if she can stay here, do you feel pressure?
0:30:27 > 0:30:30No, I don't, honestly. That's the least I can do.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33She's my friend and I hate seeing her... Especially, what touches me
0:30:33 > 0:30:36is, like, they've got a two-year-old little boy,
0:30:36 > 0:30:38that's what I think is disgusting.
0:30:38 > 0:30:42The council are letting a two-year-old go sofa surfing.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45The fact is that I work nights on the railway,
0:30:45 > 0:30:49I earn between 900 and a grand, but a two-bedroom house around here
0:30:49 > 0:30:56is on average 1,200, so even if I got a place, I'd probably be short,
0:30:56 > 0:30:59or we wouldn't have clothes or we wouldn't eat.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01I don't think anyone that works a full week
0:31:01 > 0:31:04should not be able to afford their own place to live.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06Why didn't you go down to the housing office?
0:31:06 > 0:31:09We did, but I'm a student - I want to be a teacher.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12Students are not entitled to housing benefit and, basically,
0:31:12 > 0:31:15I came to the conclusion that the best thing for me to do
0:31:15 > 0:31:16would be to leave uni,
0:31:16 > 0:31:19because then I would get better support, and the best thing for me
0:31:19 > 0:31:22to do would be to go on my own into temporary accommodation,
0:31:22 > 0:31:26and that if I didn't do that, I wasn't thinking about the best...
0:31:26 > 0:31:28like, what was best for my child.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31And, yeah, they were going to ring social services on me.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36Jodie is currently on the council house waiting list.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39Every week, available properties are posted online, and she selects
0:31:39 > 0:31:42one through a process known as bidding.
0:31:42 > 0:31:44That's quite amazing if I could actually get that.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47Bidding is ranked in order of need and you have to have lived
0:31:47 > 0:31:49in the borough for at least three years.
0:31:49 > 0:31:54The first time I ever bid, I was 187, and that was in 2012.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56Three and a half years ago.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00To get the property, she has to finish first.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03I'm 12 at the moment, which I think is quite good, really.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08I really think it's a cruel system. Say you bid one week and you're 27,
0:32:08 > 0:32:11you think maybe it'll happen, and then you bid the next week
0:32:11 > 0:32:13and you're, like, 100 - it's so frustrating.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17It's horrible to see her going through this every Friday.
0:32:17 > 0:32:18All she can do is hope.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21- Cheers.- Cheers.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27# Happy birthday to you
0:32:27 > 0:32:31# Happy birthday to you... #
0:32:33 > 0:32:37After being told by the council that he will have to leave his mum's house,
0:32:37 > 0:32:41Ricky is struggling to find anything that he can afford to rent in London
0:32:41 > 0:32:44on his current wage of £8 an hour.
0:32:44 > 0:32:48# Happy birthday to you
0:32:48 > 0:32:52# Happy birthday to you
0:32:52 > 0:32:55# Happy birthday Happy birthday... #
0:32:55 > 0:33:00I don't want to leave the borough, because at the end of the day,
0:33:00 > 0:33:04it's my friends that are keeping me strong, but I'm being pushed out.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06I think it's disgusting, to be honest,
0:33:06 > 0:33:09because not only has he lost his mum but he's also lost where he lives.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11The sense of community in Barking and Dagenham has gone.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14We used to have carnivals and all sorts, and...
0:33:14 > 0:33:16there's none of it any more.
0:33:16 > 0:33:18Do you think Ricky will be all right?
0:33:18 > 0:33:22No. I think if he gets pushed out of the borough,
0:33:22 > 0:33:24I don't think he'll be all right at all.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27I can see that he will end up...
0:33:27 > 0:33:31I will probably end up going to his funeral before long, to be perfectly honest.
0:33:45 > 0:33:47Yeah, all right...
0:33:51 > 0:33:54# For what is a man?
0:33:54 > 0:33:57# What has he got?
0:33:57 > 0:34:00# If not himself
0:34:00 > 0:34:03# Then he has naught
0:34:03 > 0:34:10# The record shows I took the blows
0:34:10 > 0:34:17# And did it my way. #
0:34:26 > 0:34:30Like many councils across the country, Barking and Dagenham
0:34:30 > 0:34:33are in the process of redeveloping their poorer quality council estates.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35What's happening today?
0:34:35 > 0:34:40What's happening today is the rebirth of the Gascoigne Estate.
0:34:40 > 0:34:45The Gascoigne Estate has been historically an area
0:34:45 > 0:34:49that has suffered from reputation, shall we say?
0:34:49 > 0:34:52And now we're going to the new life of the estate
0:34:52 > 0:34:56where we're building new homes for the residents of the borough
0:34:56 > 0:34:59and others that will be moving into the borough.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02The problem we have is we can't do it alone any longer.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06The Government has capped the money we can borrow, so we've got
0:35:06 > 0:35:10to do it in partnership, with partners in the private sector.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14Can I ask - isn't what you're talking about gentrification?
0:35:14 > 0:35:17No, it's aspiration for the working class.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27We are on the threshold of a dream.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29We're looking at it out of the window.
0:35:29 > 0:35:33By the time we've finished, there will be 1,575 new homes
0:35:33 > 0:35:37and it's my privilege to welcome you here today
0:35:37 > 0:35:42for this official launch of the transformation from Gascoigne East
0:35:42 > 0:35:46to Weavers Quarter, so I welcome you all to that threshold.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49APPLAUSE
0:35:49 > 0:35:52When you look at it on paper, you don't necessarily think about Barking,
0:35:52 > 0:35:54but when you look at it on a map, you're, like,
0:35:54 > 0:35:57- 20 minutes from the city... - Exactly, exactly.
0:35:57 > 0:36:01So it's up to us to take the opportunity and make the most of it
0:36:01 > 0:36:05and do it in a way where all the residents can benefit from it.
0:36:07 > 0:36:11So who ultimately will this new development benefit?
0:36:11 > 0:36:14It will benefit the majority of the community,
0:36:14 > 0:36:19people that are working, people that want to aspire,
0:36:19 > 0:36:24but the truth is, though, that means the most vulnerable,
0:36:24 > 0:36:28the most severe needed, the people not working,
0:36:28 > 0:36:30the people on the minimum benefit,
0:36:30 > 0:36:35we won't be able to house them on this sort of product.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39I've got to concede, as the leader of a council,
0:36:39 > 0:36:43of a Labour council, there's some people in my community
0:36:43 > 0:36:45that, with the greatest intention,
0:36:45 > 0:36:50I'm not sure if I can facilitate their wellbeing moving forward.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54It is difficult. it is difficult.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04Hello, you all right? Come in, then.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06I've actually turned the dinner down.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08Sorted John's dinner out, have you?
0:37:08 > 0:37:12Ricky has been given 28 days' notice to leave his mother's house.
0:37:12 > 0:37:14What are you doing?
0:37:14 > 0:37:15How long have you known Ricky?
0:37:15 > 0:37:18- Um...- 30 years.
0:37:18 > 0:37:2129, 30 years?
0:37:21 > 0:37:24- You were just up the road in school, weren't yous?- With John.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26That's my son. He still lives with me.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30- How long has he been with you? - All his life.
0:37:30 > 0:37:31Yeah.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35He's 40. I was told that once anything happened to me,
0:37:35 > 0:37:39- he couldn't keep the house. - He couldn't afford to move out?
0:37:39 > 0:37:41No, no. Doesn't earn enough.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44You've still got people where they can't afford to move out
0:37:44 > 0:37:46so they stay at home with their parents.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48For instance, in Gascoigne Estate,
0:37:48 > 0:37:50they've just knocked down homes,
0:37:50 > 0:37:53but they're not replacing what they're knocking down.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55There are still people that need homes
0:37:55 > 0:37:59and they are not offering any because they haven't built them,
0:37:59 > 0:38:01because they've just knocked them down.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03What happened to all this affordable housing?
0:38:03 > 0:38:05There isn't nothing affordable about any of it,
0:38:05 > 0:38:09and unless you're a couple, you can't afford to rent.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11Do you know why it's changed?
0:38:11 > 0:38:14Because we're overrun with other people.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17I don't know who's in there at the moment.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20- There's been a League of Nations in there.- What, sorry?
0:38:20 > 0:38:25A League of Nations. Yes, from different countries.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27I don't know who's in there at the moment.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30Don't know who I'm going to get here, do I?
0:38:30 > 0:38:32- Is that a real worry?- Yes.
0:38:32 > 0:38:33What's worrying about that?
0:38:33 > 0:38:37The majority of people moving here, I call them gypsies,
0:38:37 > 0:38:38but they could be Kosovos...
0:38:40 > 0:38:43I've found a bungalow in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire,
0:38:43 > 0:38:47half the price of round here, but it means going up there with no job,
0:38:47 > 0:38:50but I'll have a roof over my head.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53Have you sold a lot of stuff?
0:38:53 > 0:38:55Everything, for the deposit.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58All I'm doing is watching all my memories go out the door.
0:39:00 > 0:39:04I tagged Darren Rodwell on Facebook and I said,
0:39:04 > 0:39:07"No hope for me or any single person in the borough.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09"Don't help single men in need."
0:39:11 > 0:39:15And his reply was, "Unfortunately, Barking and Dagenham...
0:39:15 > 0:39:18"the same situation as all the councils."
0:39:18 > 0:39:21Went, "Well, how do you plan to resolve this?"
0:39:21 > 0:39:25And his reply was, "Rick, we must promise the people that are most in need...
0:39:27 > 0:39:30"..and currently, Government policy is making it even worse.
0:39:30 > 0:39:35"As I say, I sympathise with your situation and the others.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38"I am helpless to be able to change
0:39:38 > 0:39:43"in the way that we'd both like. Sorry."
0:39:43 > 0:39:46"Filthy rat" springs to mind.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50Darren Rodwell, I hope you rot in hell.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55I've actually sat here and thought about burning this fucking house down
0:39:55 > 0:39:58so no other bastard gets it,
0:39:58 > 0:40:02because I have watched everything go out that door.
0:40:11 > 0:40:13What's that? It's not a hostel, is it?
0:40:13 > 0:40:15You said yourself hostels weren't good for children,
0:40:15 > 0:40:17and I've got two kids and I'm not putting them in a hostel.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20It's not fair on the children. The children are crying at night
0:40:20 > 0:40:22because they don't know where they're going.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26At the moment, I'm on everyone's sofas, I pick them up, they don't know where they're going now,
0:40:26 > 0:40:28so you tell them they're going to go somewhere else,
0:40:28 > 0:40:32somewhere they don't know, where they're not going to see their family or anything.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35I'm not putting my children through that. Not at all.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37They need to be in the borough even if it is...
0:40:37 > 0:40:40Anything in the borough, it needs to be in the borough.
0:40:40 > 0:40:42Please, try your hardest.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46You know, people that actually come from the borough
0:40:46 > 0:40:48don't seem to stand a chance.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51If I've been in this borough so long, I should become first
0:40:51 > 0:40:54rather than somebody that just walks in and says, "I need a house."
0:40:54 > 0:40:58I've lived in Dagenham 40, 45 years,
0:40:58 > 0:41:05and...the face of Dagenham has changed so much.
0:41:08 > 0:41:09- Really?- Yeah.
0:41:09 > 0:41:13And I'm frightened to say anything because I will be called...
0:41:13 > 0:41:18I'll be thought of as a racist if I say what's actually happening.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22Lots of people will say here there's a housing problem,
0:41:22 > 0:41:25- because they give them all to immigrants.- Yeah. Yeah.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28I get really angry when people spout a load of drivel at me
0:41:28 > 0:41:31about, "The sooner we pull out of the EU, the better."
0:41:31 > 0:41:34It's got nothing to do with migrant workers,
0:41:34 > 0:41:40you know, "over here, stealing our jobs and stealing our homes".
0:41:40 > 0:41:43They are getting evicted the same as we are.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47It's to do with the fact no-one can afford their bloody rent.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50And the lack of council stock properties.
0:41:50 > 0:41:55In 1977, Government policy changed the way councils could allocate housing,
0:41:55 > 0:41:59from being based on waiting time to priority need.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01It's been a source of tension ever since.
0:42:01 > 0:42:05People don't realise how much the housing stock is dwindling
0:42:05 > 0:42:08because it's far more complex and it's not as visual.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10I've been homeless since 5th January.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13I actually got discharged from Queen's Hospital
0:42:13 > 0:42:14because I spent the night in there
0:42:14 > 0:42:16because I passed out because it was too cold.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19I don't want to take this no more, do you know what I mean?
0:42:19 > 0:42:21I feel like going to court about this. It's ridiculous.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24What is visual is the fact that they see a wide range of different people,
0:42:24 > 0:42:28and they see those individuals getting assisted, so they will find
0:42:28 > 0:42:32someone to blame, and so if I was an indigenous member
0:42:32 > 0:42:34of Barking and Dagenham and I see someone,
0:42:34 > 0:42:38I don't know about priority need or their individual case,
0:42:38 > 0:42:40nor do I care.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43All I know is that my family has come down to the council,
0:42:43 > 0:42:45and technically I'm not in priority need,
0:42:45 > 0:42:48and this other family have just turned up
0:42:48 > 0:42:50and they are getting housed.
0:42:50 > 0:42:54There's no justification for feeling that.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57However, it's a question of how people see things.
0:43:02 > 0:43:0721-year-old Lynnette was placed in emergency temporary accommodation
0:43:07 > 0:43:09after an attempted suicide.
0:43:09 > 0:43:11Here we are again.
0:43:11 > 0:43:15She's back at the housing office to find out if she qualifies for long-term housing.
0:43:18 > 0:43:22She's here. They've let me know on reception that she's here to see me.
0:43:22 > 0:43:23I asked her to come in today.
0:43:25 > 0:43:29And, basically, I've got all her medical results back.
0:43:31 > 0:43:33Hi, Lynnette.
0:43:33 > 0:43:36Sorry you've waited so long. I've been absolutely manic today.
0:43:36 > 0:43:38Are you all right, Marcus?
0:43:38 > 0:43:40Yeah.
0:43:40 > 0:43:44So I've got your medical results back from our medical adviser.
0:43:46 > 0:43:49And it isn't what we hoped for.
0:43:49 > 0:43:53It says that they don't recommend any housing on medical grounds.
0:43:55 > 0:43:58Just because I think, at the moment, Lynnette,
0:43:58 > 0:44:01that you haven't been seeing your psychiatrist enough for them
0:44:01 > 0:44:04to do a conclusive diagnosis on you.
0:44:04 > 0:44:05OK?
0:44:05 > 0:44:09You've got the right to request a review of it. OK?
0:44:09 > 0:44:11You can say that you don't agree with my decision
0:44:11 > 0:44:13and ask for it to be looked at again.
0:44:13 > 0:44:16That's my advice, that you do that.
0:44:16 > 0:44:19- OK. All right, thank you. - No worries.
0:44:30 > 0:44:31'I think it's disgusting.'
0:44:31 > 0:44:33How dare you make a decision
0:44:33 > 0:44:35when you haven't even seen me face-to-face?
0:44:35 > 0:44:37These people don't know me.
0:44:37 > 0:44:39They know what they see on a piece of paper.
0:44:39 > 0:44:43I've been discharged from hospital for trying to kill myself.
0:44:43 > 0:44:45I think that's enough to demonstrate there's a problem.
0:44:45 > 0:44:48I genuinely do have a mental health issue
0:44:48 > 0:44:51and I can't even get evidence to get help.
0:44:51 > 0:44:53It's just mad.
0:44:53 > 0:44:57I just know how... Like, I don't know why they're doing this to me.
0:44:57 > 0:44:58It's appalling.
0:45:01 > 0:45:03'I came into housing to house people.
0:45:03 > 0:45:07'I didn't come into housing to make people homeless.'
0:45:07 > 0:45:11But I can only do what the law will allow me to do.
0:45:14 > 0:45:17'You have to be quite unemotional, because otherwise
0:45:17 > 0:45:20'you'd be an emotional wreck and you wouldn't be able to do it.'
0:45:20 > 0:45:23You know, there are so many people that walk through the door
0:45:23 > 0:45:26and they say, "What, so I'm supposed to be homeless, then?"
0:45:26 > 0:45:30And we have to go, "Well, actually, it's not against the law."
0:45:40 > 0:45:44I bidded on a flat and I'm number one.
0:45:44 > 0:45:46I'm slightly worried because, like,
0:45:46 > 0:45:48bidding don't close until midnight tonight.
0:45:48 > 0:45:52But I'm pretty sure it's mine, and I'm ecstatic about it.
0:45:52 > 0:45:55It was, like, £107 a week,
0:45:55 > 0:45:57which is really, like, sensible.
0:45:57 > 0:46:01Will it change your life, having a council house?
0:46:01 > 0:46:04Yeah. Course it will.
0:46:04 > 0:46:07Cos...it'll change everything.
0:46:07 > 0:46:08I don't want to jinx it,
0:46:08 > 0:46:12cos every time I've been hopeful before, I've been let down.
0:46:17 > 0:46:19The first night, I'm going to be so happy.
0:46:19 > 0:46:20I'll put my son in his bedroom
0:46:20 > 0:46:24and he's got his bed and he's all sorted, and that is literally...
0:46:24 > 0:46:28That's it, really. I want that. I can't wait.
0:46:28 > 0:46:30- You deserve it. - Yeah, that's going to do everything.
0:46:30 > 0:46:32He deserves it. I literally can't wait.
0:46:35 > 0:46:37Lord Jesus, we do thank you for this food.
0:46:37 > 0:46:39We thank you for your goodness to us.
0:46:39 > 0:46:41We thank you for every single person here tonight.
0:46:41 > 0:46:44We pray your blessing upon them and your protection.
0:46:44 > 0:46:46- In Jesus' name, amen. - ALL: Amen.
0:46:46 > 0:46:48Right, let's tuck in.
0:46:50 > 0:46:51Of course you can.
0:46:51 > 0:46:53It's lovely with that sauce on...
0:46:57 > 0:47:01That's for the little girl that isn't feeling well.
0:47:01 > 0:47:04- What sort of job were you doing? - I'm a special needs teacher.- OK.
0:47:04 > 0:47:07- Wow, really?- I know. I love it.- Wow!
0:47:07 > 0:47:10After being turned away by the council,
0:47:10 > 0:47:15Jane has been sleeping at a homeless shelter run by local churches.
0:47:15 > 0:47:20Currently, they only have the funds to remain open for a few more weeks.
0:47:20 > 0:47:24- Did you go to that John Smith House? - Yeah.
0:47:24 > 0:47:29- Haven't had the priority. - You're not priority? Well, yeah.
0:47:29 > 0:47:30I've heard that before.
0:47:31 > 0:47:34- But I am a priority.- We all are.
0:47:35 > 0:47:38I've been in this position as well.
0:47:38 > 0:47:41I know what you're going through.
0:47:45 > 0:47:48- You'll get there.- I will.
0:47:48 > 0:47:50- That's what we're here for.- I know.
0:47:50 > 0:47:53- TEARFULLY:- But it's not easy. - Oh, don't be silly. Come on.
0:47:53 > 0:47:55SHE CRIES
0:47:55 > 0:47:57- Come on, you'll be all right. - I will be.
0:47:57 > 0:48:00- For the first time, I feel safe.- Hm?
0:48:00 > 0:48:02For the first time, I feel safe.
0:48:02 > 0:48:05I didn't feel safe for such a long time.
0:48:12 > 0:48:15- You'll be all right.- Thank you.
0:48:15 > 0:48:19'If it shuts, then it's back on the street for them, isn't it?
0:48:19 > 0:48:24'I know the better weather's coming, but it's not a roof over your head, is it, outside? So...
0:48:24 > 0:48:27'Keep it going a few more months, at least.
0:48:29 > 0:48:32'Hopefully it'll be sorted out tonight.'
0:48:34 > 0:48:36'How are you finding things?'
0:48:36 > 0:48:37'It's going all right.'
0:48:37 > 0:48:41- I just don't really want it to close.- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:48:41 > 0:48:44Because you've got a bunch of people in there that, in a fortnight,
0:48:44 > 0:48:47- we're going to be kicking them out on the street.- Yeah, of course.
0:48:47 > 0:48:52And I've said this hundreds of times - my heart is NOT to close.
0:48:52 > 0:48:57However, we haven't actually gained too many grants this year -
0:48:57 > 0:49:00only one grant. It won't be sufficient.
0:49:00 > 0:49:04£750 a week is difficult to sustain.
0:49:04 > 0:49:08I understand that someone has to take these decisions,
0:49:08 > 0:49:10but it's more distressing,
0:49:10 > 0:49:14the thought of closing the shelter, now than it was last year.
0:49:14 > 0:49:17We do have people that need something,
0:49:17 > 0:49:20and I don't know what we're going to do.
0:49:20 > 0:49:24Should we be contacting the council and telling them,
0:49:24 > 0:49:29"We are closing down, what do you have in place for these people?"
0:49:29 > 0:49:34Every single person in this shelter has been turned away from the council.
0:49:34 > 0:49:36So the council have already done their bit.
0:49:36 > 0:49:39They've already seen that none of these people meet priority need,
0:49:39 > 0:49:43they have no duty of care to them, goodbye.
0:49:43 > 0:49:46I understand that agencies are always going to refer to us,
0:49:46 > 0:49:48because at the end of the day, we're housing them.
0:49:48 > 0:49:51It doesn't necessarily mean that we should be.
0:49:51 > 0:49:56In an ideal world, you wouldn't have a need for a homeless shelter.
0:49:56 > 0:49:57Absolutely.
0:49:57 > 0:50:01So, again, to say we want to run for 52 weeks a year, I want to say,
0:50:01 > 0:50:03"Do you know what? I don't want to run at all."
0:50:03 > 0:50:05Not being rude, but you just think,
0:50:05 > 0:50:07"It'd be lovely that we wouldn't have the need."
0:50:07 > 0:50:10At the end of the day, they are social services, we're not.
0:50:10 > 0:50:14And there ought to be a state responsibility to look after them.
0:50:14 > 0:50:16It doesn't have to be us that do it.
0:50:16 > 0:50:19It could be kind of saying, "Guys, you can actually work things better."
0:50:19 > 0:50:21OK, OK...
0:50:21 > 0:50:23- OK.- OK?- As it stands...
0:50:25 > 0:50:28..is the shelter shutting on the 15th?
0:50:28 > 0:50:30- I think so.- I think so.- OK.- OK.
0:50:30 > 0:50:33OK. Let's just close in prayer.
0:50:33 > 0:50:36Thank you, Lord, for what has been achieved.
0:50:36 > 0:50:38Without you, there wouldn't be the churches here.
0:50:38 > 0:50:41ALL: Amen.
0:50:49 > 0:50:51'The bottom line is money.
0:50:51 > 0:50:56'I'm disappointed, but I'm more concerned for the people that
0:50:56 > 0:51:01'are left, because you can't just expect them to all disappear.'
0:51:02 > 0:51:06The way the Government seem to be planning for the future
0:51:06 > 0:51:08is full of short-term fixes.
0:51:08 > 0:51:11"Well, we'll skim off this support service,"
0:51:11 > 0:51:14and they are the people that are meant to catch people in the net.
0:51:14 > 0:51:16But now the net has a great big hole in it
0:51:16 > 0:51:19and all these people are falling through.
0:51:19 > 0:51:22There has to be another way of thinking about it.
0:51:22 > 0:51:25I don't even profess to know what the answer is.
0:51:27 > 0:51:29But it's got to stop...
0:51:29 > 0:51:31cos these are people.
0:51:33 > 0:51:35And these are lives.
0:51:35 > 0:51:39And the knock-on effect is generations.
0:52:02 > 0:52:06This was my mum's room. Now look at it - an empty shell.
0:52:12 > 0:52:15I planted that tree when I was 13.
0:52:15 > 0:52:17I've been here longer than anybody.
0:52:25 > 0:52:27These are all my mum's photos.
0:52:29 > 0:52:30There's me.
0:52:32 > 0:52:35Known him a long while.
0:52:35 > 0:52:37So sad.
0:52:37 > 0:52:40- Will it be the same without him? - No, no.
0:52:41 > 0:52:44'Let's hope he'll be all right up there, anyway.'
0:52:51 > 0:52:55- Right. I'll see you soon.- Yeah. - I'll give you a message...
0:52:55 > 0:52:58- Send me a message, let me know you're there.- Yeah, will do.
0:52:58 > 0:53:01- Pop in for a cup of coffee. - Yeah, I will do. Definitely.
0:53:01 > 0:53:02Right, I'll see later.
0:53:06 > 0:53:07So, yeah, that's it. Off we go.
0:53:21 > 0:53:24'No, leave that. You're coming with!'
0:53:25 > 0:53:27Do you want to come and have a look?
0:53:27 > 0:53:29Yeah? Going to hold my hand?
0:53:29 > 0:53:31You want to see your bedroom?
0:53:32 > 0:53:34- You going to walk up like a big boy? - Yes!
0:53:38 > 0:53:41This is the front room!
0:53:41 > 0:53:43Do you like it?
0:53:43 > 0:53:45We ain't got to worry about anything any more.
0:53:45 > 0:53:48Christian's going to have his own room, and just...
0:53:48 > 0:53:51We've got a home, so we can be, like, a proper family.
0:53:51 > 0:53:54Christian! Do you like it? Yeah?
0:53:54 > 0:53:57Yeah? OK!
0:53:57 > 0:54:00There you go. There's the keys to your new home.
0:54:00 > 0:54:03- Thank you!- A smile... - Yeah, I'm happy!
0:54:03 > 0:54:05- I've been waiting so long.- You have.
0:54:16 > 0:54:17Empty house.
0:54:21 > 0:54:23Knew him for a long while.
0:54:25 > 0:54:27Yeah.
0:54:27 > 0:54:30- Because a house has a lot of memories.- That's right, yeah.
0:54:30 > 0:54:33Yeah, especially when they was all young and they would all be
0:54:33 > 0:54:38out in the garden, you know, talking to one another over the fences.
0:55:01 > 0:55:04My family, when they found out I was staying in a shelter,
0:55:04 > 0:55:06were really upset about that.
0:55:06 > 0:55:07And they decided they would put money together,
0:55:07 > 0:55:10but they were not going to let me stay in a shelter.
0:55:10 > 0:55:13They've bought a ticket, so I will be going back to South Africa.
0:55:16 > 0:55:18I'm thankful to get out of the situation
0:55:18 > 0:55:22and not sleep on church floors any more. I really am.
0:55:27 > 0:55:29And I know when I get to the airport and I get on that plane,
0:55:29 > 0:55:31I'm going to bawl my eyes out.
0:55:34 > 0:55:35This I do know.
0:55:38 > 0:55:40- SOFTLY:- Because I don't want to go. I don't want to go.
0:55:48 > 0:55:52I know they feel that they have a duty and a responsibility
0:55:52 > 0:55:53to look after me.
0:55:53 > 0:55:58But if I go, everything that has been started is just going to stop.
0:56:00 > 0:56:04At this point in time, I can't pick and choose, so I've got to go.
0:56:06 > 0:56:10But another part of me thinks, "You know what? I am really homeless."
0:56:10 > 0:56:13So what do people do that don't have families like mine that says,
0:56:13 > 0:56:14"Come and stay with us"?
0:56:17 > 0:56:18They are just stuck.
0:56:19 > 0:56:22And I'm going to get unstuck, but lots of the people
0:56:22 > 0:56:25that I met at the shelter are not going to get unstuck like me.
0:56:33 > 0:56:38I think it's abysmal, I really do. What do they do? Where do they go?
0:56:38 > 0:56:41They've got problems and haven't got the money for anywhere, have they?
0:56:41 > 0:56:44- Very vulnerable as well. - Oh, of course they're vulnerable.
0:56:44 > 0:56:46It's all right for those at home snuggling in their bed.
0:56:46 > 0:56:49They don't give a toss, do they?
0:56:49 > 0:56:51They're being popped off into nothingness.
0:56:51 > 0:56:54It must be despair, mustn't it?
0:56:54 > 0:56:57- TEARFULLY:- Don't see how they can do it, I really don't.
0:56:59 > 0:57:01Oh, dear.
0:57:01 > 0:57:06I feel like writing to every paper and saying, "Do something."
0:57:06 > 0:57:10- We can send millions of pounds abroad but we can't look after our own.- It's shocking.
0:57:10 > 0:57:13Shocking, shocking, shocking, shocking!
0:57:13 > 0:57:14Oh, God!
0:57:16 > 0:57:19Are you sure you're going to be warm enough like this?
0:57:22 > 0:57:24As a human being,
0:57:24 > 0:57:27I should be entitled to have somewhere to put my head at night.
0:57:29 > 0:57:30Yeah.
0:57:33 > 0:57:37I used to judge people. I used to see people on the streets.
0:57:37 > 0:57:40I was thinking, "Why can't they just get a job?
0:57:40 > 0:57:43"Why are they sitting there? Why can't they go to the council?"
0:57:43 > 0:57:48And now that I face that situation, I'm more understanding.
0:57:48 > 0:57:50It's just horrible.
0:57:50 > 0:57:53It's like you're drowning and you're trying to explain to people, like,
0:57:53 > 0:57:57we're financially, you know, going through a lot of hell right now.
0:58:01 > 0:58:04It probably is going to get harder.
0:58:04 > 0:58:07Mentally, it can make you feel worse.
0:58:22 > 0:58:24See you later. Bye, guys.
0:58:28 > 0:58:30- Take care, now!- Thank you very much.