0:00:02 > 0:00:04There we are. There it is in one.
0:00:04 > 0:00:07And this is our home.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10'Swansea has become a magnet for homeless people,
0:00:10 > 0:00:13'and now their numbers are on the increase.
0:00:13 > 0:00:18'For many, the only option is to sleep rough in any place they can.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25'I'm Chris Rushton and together with Tracy Harris, over a year ago
0:00:25 > 0:00:29'we followed the desperate plight of Swansea's homeless.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34'Now we have returned to find out if things had changed...'
0:00:34 > 0:00:38It's just dangerous to be walking the streets.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40'..to discover how the homeless survive...'
0:00:40 > 0:00:43When was the last time you seen it like this?
0:00:43 > 0:00:44'..and how today's recession
0:00:44 > 0:00:48'and cutbacks are hitting those least able to cope.'
0:00:48 > 0:00:50I want to sort myself out,
0:00:50 > 0:00:52but no-one's doing nothing for me.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54No-one's doing nothing!
0:00:55 > 0:01:01This programme contains some strong language.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03'I've spent ten weeks filming in Swansea
0:01:03 > 0:01:08'and now I want to find out about the lives of the long-term homeless
0:01:08 > 0:01:10'who are managing to survive on the edge.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12'Susan's one of these.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14'She's been homeless, on and off, for ten years
0:01:14 > 0:01:17'and now temporarily stays with friends.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19'It's known as sofa surfing.'
0:01:21 > 0:01:23It's hard out there when you're homeless.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25People think it's easy, but it's not.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27The risks you've got to take.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29There's a lot of danger there.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32Lots of danger.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36'On one occasion, sofa surfing turned nasty.'
0:01:37 > 0:01:40The bloke who put me up did try raping me.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42The police, they then got involved in that.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45He tried to keep me hostage for a couple of days.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49I got out with a black eye, and I just run, I just run.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54'With no place of her own, Susan's desperately insecure.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57'She drinks to escape the daily reality of life.'
0:01:57 > 0:02:00'Biggest downfall is I drink.'
0:02:00 > 0:02:02Yeah, biggest downfall ever.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05I'm shaking, because I haven't got a drink in me.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09'She gets withdrawal symptoms if she tries stopping,
0:02:09 > 0:02:13'and being a street alcoholic also carries other risks.'
0:02:13 > 0:02:16Can we have your can of alcohol, please?
0:02:16 > 0:02:18Don't go drinking it, now.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21Don't go drinking it. No, no, no!
0:02:21 > 0:02:22I'll buy you one later.
0:02:22 > 0:02:27'I'd witnessed homeless people being stopped by the police many times.'
0:02:27 > 0:02:32- What's your date of birth? - 28th of the second, '76.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36'She's been given a Section 27 order, banning her from town.'
0:02:36 > 0:02:39Are you aware that you're not allowed to drink in the city centre?
0:02:39 > 0:02:42The fact that we believe alcohol-related crime
0:02:42 > 0:02:44and disorder to occur, we are banning you for 12 hours
0:02:44 > 0:02:47from the city centre, cos you've got no reason to be here, right?
0:02:47 > 0:02:50- This is a copy of the map I'm providing you.- I've had the boot.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52No, I've had it, I don't want it.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54I've had the map. I've had the boot, yeah.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56- I've had the boot. - It's not a boot, it's a map.
0:02:56 > 0:02:57It's the shape of a boot.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00'In the last 15 months, the exclusion zone
0:03:00 > 0:03:02'known as "the boot" has expanded.'
0:03:02 > 0:03:04It's a bigger boot now.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06What are they on about?
0:03:06 > 0:03:08Castle Gardens, there, there, there.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12That's the boot. That's the boot. Have one of them.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16Get out of town, type of thing, isn't it?
0:03:16 > 0:03:18- How often does that happen, Susan? - All the time.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20Cos they can't stand my face.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25'She heads to the friends where she's been staying.'
0:03:26 > 0:03:30Here we are. My mate lives on the tenth floor.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32'Doors closing. Lift going up.'
0:03:36 > 0:03:39'The tower block is rundown and the flat is riddled with damp.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43'People are coming and going -
0:03:43 > 0:03:46'none wanted to be on film - and she's had enough.'
0:03:46 > 0:03:49- Susan!- What, love?
0:03:49 > 0:03:52It's not nice. My head is screwed.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56Being homeless all these years, and there's the police as well.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58What can I do?
0:03:58 > 0:04:02I'm banned again for 24 hours. What can I do? What?
0:04:03 > 0:04:05It's madness...
0:04:06 > 0:04:09'She's even thinking about ending it all.'
0:04:13 > 0:04:16Go ahead and jump, and just...
0:04:24 > 0:04:26I don't like looking down.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35What's it feel like when you have to come and scrounge off somebody?
0:04:35 > 0:04:38Mortifying, to be honest with you. Mortifying.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44I don't like it at all. It's not nice.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48I put my legs up here and go to sleep
0:04:48 > 0:04:52and I just go like that. See?
0:04:52 > 0:04:54It's like a bed to me, isn't it?
0:04:54 > 0:04:57- If you're homeless, you just sleep anywhere.- I- would.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59Just curled up in a ball.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04'We met Susan this time on our second three-month stint with
0:05:04 > 0:05:06'Swansea's homeless.
0:05:06 > 0:05:11'And 15 months ago, we met the one and only happy homeless,
0:05:11 > 0:05:14'Paul, living on the streets.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16'This was Christmas morning.'
0:05:20 > 0:05:21Fishing rod.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25'He was opening presents left by a local who'd befriended him.'
0:05:25 > 0:05:26Welsh shirt.
0:05:28 > 0:05:29You know what's funny about this?
0:05:29 > 0:05:31I've been sat here all night hungry -
0:05:31 > 0:05:34look what I've just found in this bag.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37Sausage rolls!
0:05:39 > 0:05:41So that's my Christmas.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46'He's a drifter who's been on the road most of his life.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49'After five months in Swansea, Paul left.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52'We lost touch and I wanted to find him again.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57'Our quest led us across the country to Kent.'
0:05:57 > 0:05:58Paul!
0:06:00 > 0:06:02Hello! How is everybody?
0:06:05 > 0:06:06It's great to see you, man.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09It's great to see you.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12- Are you all right?- I'm fine. - How are you?- I'm great.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14I am. Getting older, but I'm great.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16This is Roxy.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18Welcome to Canterbury.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23'Since leaving Swansea, he's travelled the length
0:06:23 > 0:06:25'and breadth of Britain.'
0:06:25 > 0:06:27London, Bristol, Bath,
0:06:27 > 0:06:29Swindon. Er...
0:06:31 > 0:06:33Maidstone.
0:06:33 > 0:06:34All sorts of places.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38'Wherever he goes, he meets lots of people,
0:06:38 > 0:06:42'but there are only a few who Paul allows to become close to him.'
0:06:42 > 0:06:44- This is Erin, my friend. - Hello, you all right?
0:06:44 > 0:06:47'She's a Welsh woman living in Canterbury.'
0:06:47 > 0:06:49He's a lovely bloke, and ever since we met,
0:06:49 > 0:06:52I always make sure he's all right. Pop and see him.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55Love him, he's awesome. Paul's the friendliest person down here.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57Really sweet, like.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59- Isn't he, now?- Mm-hmm.
0:06:59 > 0:07:00- You love Roxy, don't you?- Yeah.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02No! No, no, no!
0:07:05 > 0:07:08'All through the winter, Paul's been sleeping out,
0:07:08 > 0:07:10'even when it's well below freezing.'
0:07:13 > 0:07:15I see people every day.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18I get called tramp and all sorts of things.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22But if the tables were turned,
0:07:22 > 0:07:24these people calling me things like that,
0:07:24 > 0:07:27they wouldn't last five minutes out here.
0:07:27 > 0:07:28Not like I do.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36PAUL PLAYS DRUM
0:07:36 > 0:07:40'Paul finds Canterbury more easy-going than Swansea.'
0:07:43 > 0:07:46I'd love to stay here for the rest of my life,
0:07:46 > 0:07:49but I ain't ready for that commitment.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52I need to be able to move. People get too close.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55I like to have that border where it's just me and them.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58As long as I can walk, I'll keep on shuffling. Always will do.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00Down the streets, I reckon...
0:08:00 > 0:08:02I'll move on down the streets.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06'Now, Paul's on the brink of leaving
0:08:06 > 0:08:08'Canterbury for somewhere new.'
0:08:16 > 0:08:19'Back in Swansea, it's the first time we'd filmed the homeless
0:08:19 > 0:08:22'when the winter weather is at its worst.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27'Scott has been homeless on and off for much of his life,
0:08:27 > 0:08:29'which began in Llanelli.'
0:08:29 > 0:08:32I was on the streets when I was 15, like.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36I was extremely shook up about being put out on the streets.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41It did set me into suicidal mode a couple of times, as you can imagine.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43It really got me down.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46Quite extensive, really.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49It shattered my life, really.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54'He once was a van driver, but now he's on the streets.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57'He told me he'd recently been evicted from one of Swansea's
0:08:57 > 0:08:59'hostels for the homeless.'
0:08:59 > 0:09:02My pitch is just round the corner here, you know?
0:09:02 > 0:09:03This is it.
0:09:06 > 0:09:07OK.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14'I follow him around the back of some flats.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16'And there's an unlocked door.'
0:09:19 > 0:09:22I'll just get my head down there, and that's me for the night.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25Dry, warm, and I've even got a light.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30Preferably, hopefully peace until I wake up.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34'Scott continually gets moved on by the residents,
0:09:34 > 0:09:39'but it's so cold outside, he keeps sneaking back in.'
0:09:42 > 0:09:45'All the homeless people we met were on benefits.
0:09:45 > 0:09:50'Now it seems the benefits agency are coming down harder on those
0:09:50 > 0:09:53'who miss appointments or who are not looking hard enough for work.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57'Many more now turn to the Access Point charity for help
0:09:57 > 0:09:59'when their benefits are stopped.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01'Susan's here to use the phone.'
0:10:01 > 0:10:04I went to the Post Office this morning to see about my benefits,
0:10:04 > 0:10:07because I'm due for a payment today, and there's nothing in there.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12OK, thank you very much for your help.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14OK, thank you. Bye now, bye.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16Bye.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18They forgot to put my money through.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20Had to be me of all people, didn't it?
0:10:20 > 0:10:21SHE LAUGHS
0:10:23 > 0:10:27- Oh, good God. - Right, see you later, thanks! Ta-ra!
0:10:30 > 0:10:33'A converted church run by the Cyrenians charity is now
0:10:33 > 0:10:37'a drop-in centre for those desperate for help.'
0:10:37 > 0:10:39- There you are. - Thank you very much!
0:10:39 > 0:10:42'Since Scott took me to his stairwell squat,
0:10:42 > 0:10:46'I discovered that he actually has a bed in a hostel,
0:10:46 > 0:10:49'but he told me he was avoiding the problems he was having there.'
0:10:49 > 0:10:55They nearly evicted me this morning, because I can't get proof of...
0:10:56 > 0:10:59..of...you know...
0:10:59 > 0:11:02proof of my income for the last couple of months.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04Bank statements and stuff.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07If I don't produce that today, they said I'm going to be evicted,
0:11:07 > 0:11:10so, I don't know if that's the case or what.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16'Being homeless makes it hard to deal with the basics.'
0:11:16 > 0:11:20When I'm signing on, I just can't stick to the rules,
0:11:20 > 0:11:23I can't stick to the appointments and I can't teach them
0:11:23 > 0:11:25along the lines where I'm trying to fit other things in my life,
0:11:25 > 0:11:29like trying to get food for the day, somewhere to stay for the night.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32They start... I just can't answer... all these appointments.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35Appointments are clashing, I'm on probation.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37Benefits are stopped again.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42'Some of the homeless people we met live chaotic lives
0:11:42 > 0:11:45'and this is often made worse by drink or drug addiction.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50'For years, Susan was addicted to heroin.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54'She would shoplift when she was desperate for drugs or food.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56'She's off heroin now,
0:11:56 > 0:11:59'but it's caused lasting tensions with her family.'
0:12:00 > 0:12:02I can't stay at my parents',
0:12:02 > 0:12:05because my sisters are working as prison officers.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07It's not fair on them.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10Me and my criminal record and I don't know what, so...
0:12:10 > 0:12:13I won't to put my family through it, anyway.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15Problems I've had, all the years.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19'She's been trying to find somewhere to live,
0:12:19 > 0:12:22'but in the meantime stays with friends.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26'Over the winter, there is
0:12:26 > 0:12:29'another option for some of Swansea's homeless.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33'For the second year, the churches are now providing night shelters.'
0:12:33 > 0:12:34Oh, your hands are cold!
0:12:34 > 0:12:37'But, because it's run simply by volunteers,
0:12:37 > 0:12:41'they can't risk letting anyone in who might be carrying drugs
0:12:41 > 0:12:44'or alcohol, or those with a violent history,
0:12:44 > 0:12:47so all the homeless people have to be assessed in advance.'
0:12:49 > 0:12:52'I ran into Scott. He's got a problem.'
0:12:52 > 0:12:56I've been evicted from the hostel, from The Strand there, now.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59'So, he's applied for the church shelter for tonight,
0:12:59 > 0:13:02'but first he has to find out if they will accept him.'
0:13:02 > 0:13:04It's Rebecca calling from Outreach.
0:13:04 > 0:13:09Yeah, that's the diabolical situation that I'm in at the moment.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14'But, the police searched the Dinas Fechan hostel
0:13:14 > 0:13:17'where Scott was staying, and found a syringe with
0:13:17 > 0:13:19'an uncapped hypodermic needle.'
0:13:22 > 0:13:26I forgot I had it on me, and when they found it,
0:13:26 > 0:13:30if he did get stabbed, if you did get jabbed by it -
0:13:30 > 0:13:33I'm not sure if he did or not - but he weren't amused.
0:13:33 > 0:13:34He cuffed me straight away.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37'His support worker wants to help.'
0:13:37 > 0:13:40Whose was the pin, then? Was it your pin?
0:13:40 > 0:13:41No, it was someone else's.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44Why did you have somebody else's pin in your pocket?
0:13:44 > 0:13:45I don't get that, to be honest.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48- Because...- Foolish.- Foolish.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50You know, that's just it, isn't it?
0:13:50 > 0:13:52That was just my luck.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56So that means that now you've been classed as intentionally homeless,
0:13:56 > 0:13:58which means... Because you've had the hostel place,
0:13:58 > 0:13:59you've been thrown out,
0:13:59 > 0:14:01which may mean you're intentionally homeless,
0:14:01 > 0:14:04which means the council haven't got a duty to you.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06Which means your only option would be privately rented.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09So I've intentionally made myself homeless now.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12'Now, he has to get the results of his application
0:14:12 > 0:14:14'for the church shelter for tonight.'
0:14:16 > 0:14:18Right, unfortunately, Scott,
0:14:18 > 0:14:20the Swansea night shelter won't accept you,
0:14:20 > 0:14:24and that's due to some risk assessment that has been
0:14:24 > 0:14:27passed on to them, as we discussed previously.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30A risk of carrying one single syringe?
0:14:30 > 0:14:34- Yeah, that was one of the things. - That is ridiculous.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36I can't get involved in the reasons
0:14:36 > 0:14:38why you were evicted from Dinas Fechan.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41If a bed space becomes available in one of the other hostels,
0:14:41 > 0:14:43- they will contact... - It's a load of bollocks.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46I'm going. It's a load of bollocks. Excuse me. Sorry.
0:14:48 > 0:14:49A load of bullshit.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51It's called discrimination.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54I'll wrap up my stuff and leave you all in peace.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56Fuck it, I'll go back to Llanelli.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03Chances of any night shelter, accommodation of any kind...
0:15:03 > 0:15:06I think that's a little bit...
0:15:06 > 0:15:08I've been tested every week.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10Once a week, every week.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13I'm negative for opiates and all of that, you know?
0:15:13 > 0:15:14I'm off it.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16I don't drink.
0:15:18 > 0:15:19What's the problem?
0:15:21 > 0:15:23Overnight shelter, like, you know?
0:15:24 > 0:15:26I'll see him and see what we can do, all right?
0:15:26 > 0:15:29It might take a while, but it mightn't.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32- It depends what properties he's got. - Yeah.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34So what are you going to do now, Scott?
0:15:34 > 0:15:37Try and find myself a squatting place. You know?
0:15:37 > 0:15:39Things are not looking good today.
0:15:43 > 0:15:44'Homeless people are vulnerable
0:15:44 > 0:15:48'and often become the victims of unprovoked attacks.
0:15:48 > 0:15:54'Ever since the attempted rape, Susan's prone to anxiety.'
0:15:54 > 0:15:58It is dangerous, coming from darkness and then going into a property.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01It is dangerous.
0:16:01 > 0:16:02You know what's funny?
0:16:02 > 0:16:06I don't know why, my nerves and everything are very bad news.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09People jumping out of them bins.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12Having some of them jump out. Seriously.
0:16:12 > 0:16:13Because they're not secure.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18'All afternoon, Scott's been looking for somewhere to sleep.'
0:16:18 > 0:16:21I found a vehicle
0:16:21 > 0:16:25and I got my kit in there.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29'The temperature is set to drop to minus five tonight.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31'He meets some of the other homeless.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33'They have beds in the church shelter.'
0:16:33 > 0:16:36So you're going to be across the road tonight in the car?
0:16:36 > 0:16:39- Freezing my nuts off. - And we'll be in there in the warm.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43And I might be in hospital tomorrow with pneumonia. It's a possibility.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46- It's not on. It shouldn't be happening.- No, exactly.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49- Not in this day and age. - Get something sorted, man.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51- Don't be out here, man.- OK, yeah.
0:16:54 > 0:16:58'Evicted from the hostel and rejected by the church shelter,
0:16:58 > 0:17:03'he heads for some abandoned cars which aren't locked.'
0:17:08 > 0:17:10There we go.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20Bit stiff, like.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22I wouldn't want to get trapped in here.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24Believe it or not, there's a bedroom in here.
0:17:26 > 0:17:27There we go.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31You know, it's that claustrophobia,
0:17:31 > 0:17:34being in a confined space like this.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37In the early hours, someone might...
0:17:37 > 0:17:40You don't know what walks of nature might -
0:17:40 > 0:17:43do know what I mean? - venture into the area.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45It's not fun at all.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47Honestly, no. Chris, mate, no fun.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58'It was so upsetting knowing the others had the comfort of
0:17:58 > 0:18:03'the night shelter, yet Scott faced a night alone in the freezing cold.'
0:18:09 > 0:18:12'The next day, he's the worse for wear.'
0:18:12 > 0:18:16The fact I'm on the streets in this severe weather...
0:18:19 > 0:18:21It's ridiculous.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24'The Access Point charity are helping him, but he doesn't
0:18:24 > 0:18:28'understand how to sort out his benefits that could pay his rent
0:18:28 > 0:18:31'and get him a roof over his head.'
0:18:31 > 0:18:33Just look for somewhere, right?
0:18:33 > 0:18:35Go on the internet or whatever you want, have a look,
0:18:35 > 0:18:37see if you can find anything in your price range.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40- I knew it was too good to be true. - We can sort it out.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43We can! You've got the money. You've got all the money to go.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46So what you need to do is find a place. You've got a place.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48- Right, I'm not...- All right? - Nice one.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50Thank you. Thank you.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54'He's got a list of landlords and agents to get through.'
0:18:54 > 0:18:57Hello? All right, mate. Scott, it is, mate.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00Yeah, all right, mate? What was the rent again?
0:19:00 > 0:19:02How much was the rent per week?
0:19:02 > 0:19:05OK, can I have the address or will you be giving that to me Monday?
0:19:05 > 0:19:07Just wondering what part of the area.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09Thank you. Speak to you Monday.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11Thank you! Ta-ra, mate. Thank you.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16'In the meantime, he's still out in the cold.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21'He's chosen to sleep in a different abandoned car.'
0:19:24 > 0:19:25Oh, Jesus.
0:19:25 > 0:19:26Oh, my God.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33'While Scott's trying to find somewhere to live,
0:19:33 > 0:19:37'each night he has to survive in freezing temperatures.'
0:19:43 > 0:19:46'We'd arranged to meet Susan.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48'Straightaway, we knew something was wrong.'
0:19:48 > 0:19:51Oh! What I going to do now?
0:19:52 > 0:19:54It's all right, babe.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57Don't know what's happening. Coming back and forth...
0:19:57 > 0:20:00- I know. - The situation I'm in is just....
0:20:00 > 0:20:02- Tell us what's happened. - What happened, Sue? Tell us.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04You went up there?
0:20:04 > 0:20:07I went to Collin's and I didn't stay there,
0:20:07 > 0:20:09but there's young people back and forth.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13I don't know what's going on, but I am out of place,
0:20:13 > 0:20:15cos it's his property, isn't it?
0:20:15 > 0:20:16And he's going to go Monday now.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20The council have been and say I'll know on Monday where I'm going to go.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23Fair play to the gentleman that's Collin, he had put me up.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27But where am I going to go now? After that, where am I going to go?
0:20:27 > 0:20:28On the streets?
0:20:28 > 0:20:32'The flat has been condemned as unfit to live in.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35'Now, she's been told she has to go.'
0:20:35 > 0:20:37What I going to do now?
0:20:39 > 0:20:41I don't know.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43I really don't know. I don't know.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47Oh! I can't believe this.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50'She has to find somewhere else to stay,
0:20:50 > 0:20:54'otherwise she could end up on the streets tonight.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56'She heads to the Access Point.'
0:20:56 > 0:20:58What's the problem?
0:20:58 > 0:21:00The place I was staying in is going.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03It was a temporary thing.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07And, cos it's going, I've got to find somewhere else myself.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10You need to go to Housing Options, really, and see what they say.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13- What time do they close? - They close a bit early on a Friday.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15But if you go up there now, somebody will be there.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18- I will.- Go up there now. - Thank you.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23'She has just minutes to get to the council's housing office,
0:21:23 > 0:21:25'but she's unable to cope.'
0:21:26 > 0:21:28SHE CRIES
0:21:30 > 0:21:34'Now, we've become so involved in Susan's plight, we feel we have
0:21:34 > 0:21:38'to help her, as she's in danger of ending up out in the cold tonight.'
0:21:39 > 0:21:41See you in a bit, Susan.
0:21:41 > 0:21:42Yeah, thank you very much.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47'There's only ten minutes left before the office shuts.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52The Arches, down The Arches.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54'She's got a bed and breakfast.'
0:21:54 > 0:21:58I'm buzzing now. I've got it for the weekend. Monday, look out.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00Oh, I'm buzzing!
0:22:01 > 0:22:05'At any one time in Wales, there are over 1,000 individuals
0:22:05 > 0:22:08'and families in temporary B&B accommodation.'
0:22:10 > 0:22:12Ah, that's so good.
0:22:12 > 0:22:13Look at that.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20Fair play to them.
0:22:28 > 0:22:29Oh!
0:22:29 > 0:22:31'The B&B could give her the break
0:22:31 > 0:22:33'she needs to find somewhere permanent.
0:22:36 > 0:22:37'After weeks sleeping rough,
0:22:37 > 0:22:42'Scott has also managed to find a place, and today, he's moving in.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44'He's made a big effort to clean up.'
0:22:44 > 0:22:47You know, I had a blade hit me.
0:22:47 > 0:22:48HE LAUGHS
0:22:48 > 0:22:51'He's with his support worker, Rebecca.
0:22:51 > 0:22:55'At the landlord's office, she makes sure he understands the terms.'
0:22:55 > 0:22:58- No subletting the property. That means renting out rooms. - I understand that.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05- There you go, Scott. There's your key.- Thank you.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08Look after it, don't lose it.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11- What, the flat or the key?- Both!
0:23:11 > 0:23:13'He can move in straightaway.'
0:23:14 > 0:23:17For £85 week, I think it's ideal, you know.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20Cos it's self-contained, you know.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22Isn't it? It's not bad.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24It's not small, not tiny.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28That's the bedroom, that's the kitchen.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31'The flat's unfurnished,
0:23:31 > 0:23:33'and Scott told me he has no money to spend on the basics.'
0:23:33 > 0:23:36- There we are, sorted.- Thank you, Rebecca. Thank you for your time.
0:23:36 > 0:23:37Thank you very much.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42Well, this is a start of a new life, really, isn't it? You know.
0:23:42 > 0:23:46Pray to God I don't lose it now, otherwise I'm stupid.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49You know what I mean? Oh, should be caution enough, like.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57'Four weeks had passed since we last saw Susan.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59'She'd since left the B&B.'
0:24:01 > 0:24:04I was homeless for, well, a good couple of years.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07But now I've got a property now.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10I've got the key.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12And then we're in now.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15- Can we have a look round? - Course you can.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18At least I'm not in the cold. I'm not in the cold, so at least I'm happy.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22This is clean, tidy. I clean it myself.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26Give me two...three...four bottles of bleach, I'm happy.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28I am. Bleach, happy.
0:24:29 > 0:24:34'It's a private rental found with the help of the Access Point.'
0:24:34 > 0:24:38But, at least I've got a bed to lay in.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40Look at that. See? Like that.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42I'm comfy.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45I have got a bed. I've got a bed.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52'I've realised that, for some who have been homeless,
0:24:52 > 0:24:55'getting their own place can be fraught with difficulties.
0:24:55 > 0:25:00'After just two weeks in HIS flat, Scott's struggling.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03'He still hasn't completed all the paperwork to sort out
0:25:03 > 0:25:06'his benefits, and the bills are coming in.'
0:25:06 > 0:25:10I've got a flat, I've got a roof over my head now. Things are working out.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13But every time I find things are working out right for me,
0:25:13 > 0:25:16then things go spiralling out of control, go wrong for me.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18HE COUGHS
0:25:18 > 0:25:22'Within days, his homeless friend, who's also broke, has moved in.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24'Scott feels obligated to help.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27'What are we going to do now, Scott?'
0:25:27 > 0:25:28Come on, Sean.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34Known him most of my life nearly, yeah. Schooldays, anyway.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36Seems to be on my back all the time!
0:25:38 > 0:25:41'Scott's missed an appointment with his probation officer
0:25:41 > 0:25:45'and now has to appear in court 14 miles away.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49'He hasn't got any money, so we helped him out with the bus fare.'
0:25:49 > 0:25:51Here to catch a bus, Sean, isn't it?
0:25:51 > 0:25:53There, isn't it? Oh, up there, is it?
0:25:53 > 0:25:56So you're in a bit of a rush this morning, really?
0:25:56 > 0:25:57Yeah, of course.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00Yeah, a rush for court.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05'Sean wants breakfast,
0:26:05 > 0:26:09'but Scott knows what would happen if he missed court.'
0:26:09 > 0:26:11Llanelli Police would soon have me.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16They must be the sharpest about in Southwest Wales, like.
0:26:16 > 0:26:20- We've got 30 minutes. - They're at 21 minutes past.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26'They're hoping there's still time to go to the cafe,
0:26:26 > 0:26:28'so Scott asks the driver
0:26:28 > 0:26:31'if the next bus will get him there on time.'
0:26:31 > 0:26:34- What time have you got to be in court?- Ten.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37Come on this one to be sure. That one could break down, couldn't it?
0:26:37 > 0:26:39- Yeah.- It's not going to break down.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41There's one here at 20 past, says here.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44But you've got to get from the bus station then to court, haven't you?
0:26:46 > 0:26:48Go on, there's only a couple.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50Plus, it's not far from...
0:26:50 > 0:26:51Right, come on, boys.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54Come on, I'm going to be late.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56Are you coming on this bus or not?
0:26:56 > 0:26:58Come on.
0:26:58 > 0:26:59Just come on.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04You'd be warmer.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07There's a 20 past, anyway.
0:27:10 > 0:27:11Takes 25 minutes, that bus.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16I'll kill him.
0:27:17 > 0:27:21I tried to get rid of him, but everywhere I go he's like my shadow.
0:27:23 > 0:27:27'Sadly, this was the end of my relationship with Scott.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30'I heard that he jumped a train and made it to court,
0:27:30 > 0:27:32'but was four hours late.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36'And, within a fortnight, he'd left the flat and disappeared.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41'I'd discovered some of the Swansea's long-term
0:27:41 > 0:27:45'homeless are the hardest for local charities to reach.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48'They live chaotic lives,
0:27:48 > 0:27:52'often plagued by complicated personal problems and addictions.
0:27:52 > 0:27:56'Their prospects for improvement are minimal and, shockingly,
0:27:56 > 0:28:00'almost a quarter of all street homeless have attempted suicide.'
0:28:04 > 0:28:07Next time, back on the streets of Swansea.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10The churches and charities battle to get
0:28:10 > 0:28:13the homeless off the streets and out of the cold.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16They've saved my life. They have.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19And even those with little experience of sleeping rough
0:28:19 > 0:28:21can end up in dire straits.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24What's happened? What's happened to my life?
0:28:24 > 0:28:26And now the homeless make ready
0:28:26 > 0:28:28for some of the harshest weather in years.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32- Blanket here for you, anyway. - Any different colour ones here?
0:28:32 > 0:28:34It's just you keep giving me pink ones.
0:28:34 > 0:28:36He likes you.
0:28:36 > 0:28:37It's not funny, man!
0:28:42 > 0:28:44Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd