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0:00:16 > 0:00:18- Tonight on a special edition - of Hacio...
0:00:19 > 0:00:21- ..I'll meet those - who don't have a warm home...
0:00:22 > 0:00:24- ..or a roof over their heads - this Christmas.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28- I wake up, I go and get - something to eat...
0:00:29 > 0:00:34- ..I sit around then trying - to get money to eat at night.
0:00:36 > 0:00:41- I'll look into secret homelessness - and speak to those who sofa surf.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45- I didn't want anybody to know - what was going on at home.
0:00:46 > 0:00:51- I was frightened of asking for help - like you're someone else's problem.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55- I spent a night - on the streets myself...
0:00:55 > 0:00:59- ..to try to better understand - what these people face.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02- We've got the whole night - ahead of us.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06- The only thing I can think of is - these people doing it every night.
0:01:09 > 0:01:15- Between 2014 and 2015, over 14,000 - people in Wales were homeless.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18- According to Welsh Government - statistics...
0:01:18 > 0:01:21- ..4,000 of those were - between 16 and 25 years old.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30- Over the last few weeks - I've been all over the country...
0:01:31 > 0:01:35- ..trying to meet some of the people - behind these figures.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39- The first stop is a wet and windy - night in Bangor.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43- After wandering for a while, - I find Neil Davies.
0:01:47 > 0:01:52- My mum and dad died and the house - went to my big sister...
0:01:52 > 0:01:56- ..or my big brother - and I ended up on the streets.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00- Neil used to live in Caernarfon.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05- He says he's been on the streets - of Bangor for three years.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11- What's it been like - to live on the street?
0:02:11 > 0:02:14- It's not too bad. - It depends on the weather.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18- So what's the biggest struggle - of being homeless?
0:02:18 > 0:02:20- There aren't many people to help.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24- Well, I'll get a couple of quid - here and there.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26- But that's it really.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31- He stays a few nights - at a friend's house in Bangor.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34- He says he spends - most of his time on the street...
0:02:34 > 0:02:37- ..or in a tent in the forest.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40- The tent blew away in the wind.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42- I wake up, I get something to eat...
0:02:43 > 0:02:49- ..then I sit around trying - to get money to eat at night.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52- I listen to the radio.
0:02:52 > 0:02:59- In the night, I do the same thing - and then head back to the tent.
0:03:00 > 0:03:05- Or, I hope to bump in to someone and - stay at their house for the night.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09- It's unpleasant. It's not nice - to sit around all day.
0:03:12 > 0:03:17- Without a home, it's difficult for - him to get a job and days are slow.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20- Except for a few meals - at a hostel...
0:03:20 > 0:03:24- ..he depends on those who walk by - for food.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29- What's people's attitude toward you - from day to day?
0:03:29 > 0:03:31- They're fine. They're brilliant.
0:03:31 > 0:03:36- The police are the worst. - They drive us off for nothing.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41- Everyone feels uncomfortable.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44- But they have to do their jobs.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47- What do you mean, uncomfortable?
0:03:47 > 0:03:53- They try and send us off somewhere - but we end up in the same place.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56- We haven't got anywhere to go, - do we?
0:03:57 > 0:04:03- North Wales Police has no specific - policy to deal with the homeless.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07- But they move people on sometimes - if they're causing trouble.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14- There are two hostels for homeless - people in Bangor.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17- They can stay there - when there's space.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21- That doesn't answer - Neil's long-term problem.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25- Those places are only for a night.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28- There's no point - making a big fuss for a night.
0:04:29 > 0:04:30- You don't try to get in there.
0:04:31 > 0:04:32- I've been in there.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36- That place is worse - than staying out in the open.
0:04:36 > 0:04:37- Why do you say that?
0:04:37 > 0:04:41- There are cameras everywhere, - it's uncomfortable.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45- There are other services - helping the homeless in Bangor.
0:04:45 > 0:04:50- According to Neil, all he needs is - a little help to get his own place.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53- It would be nice to have a little - flat to go home to.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57- There's nowhere going - as far as I know.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01- There are some places going, there's - a flat at the top here but...
0:05:02 > 0:05:07- ..but getting my name down - before anyone else...
0:05:07 > 0:05:10- ..it's an impossible task.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30- In Cardiff, the charity Llamau...
0:05:31 > 0:05:35- ..has arranged a night of sleeping - rough to raise money for charity.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39- 180 people have come out - to support them.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42- Llamau works with the homeless.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45- It tries to stop people - getting to the streets.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50- But before sleeping rough, there's - a competition to create a shelter.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55- Umm, we're building - some kind of shelter.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58- I think we're going - to sleep in it tonight.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02- It doesn't look too good - at the minute.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06- At midnight, the leisure centre - is bubbling.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09- But tonight's weather - looks to be awful...
0:06:10 > 0:06:13- ..with Storm Abigail - threatening South Wales.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18- An hour later, they venture out - to the darkness.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22- Often, homeless people only have - cardboard...
0:06:22 > 0:06:24- ..to shield them from the cold.
0:06:26 > 0:06:27- You never know really...
0:06:27 > 0:06:31- ..when you'll have to depend - on something like Llamau.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34- I think it's important - to support things like this.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39- I feel bad for them, we wouldn't - want to be in that situation.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43- It's not nice, is it? Especially - in winter when Christmas is close.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50- These people were sleeping - behind a leisure centre...
0:06:50 > 0:06:54- ..with the luxury of toilets - and being able to go indoors...
0:06:54 > 0:06:56- ..if the weather was unbearable.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01- I wanted to see what it was really - like for homeless people.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06- So, I decided to venture - to their world, the city streets.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12- It's a Wednesday, - a few weeks before Christmas.
0:07:12 > 0:07:13- As you can see it's busy.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16- I've come to sleep on the streets...
0:07:16 > 0:07:19- ..to see what life's really like - for the homeless.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23- I took a friend with me - to find somewhere to sleep.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27- Before settling for the night...
0:07:27 > 0:07:31- ..I went to speak to those - living on Cardiff's streets.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37- In a shop door on Queen Street, - I met Anthony Foster-Wells.
0:07:38 > 0:07:43- After being released from prison in - November he's been homeless...
0:07:43 > 0:07:46- ..as he can't afford - to pay the rent for his old flat.
0:07:46 > 0:07:51- Not very good. - You have to struggle with clothing.
0:07:51 > 0:07:55- Washing your clothes, having a wash - in the mornings, showers.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59- Money situations, having the police - moving us on all the time.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03- This is the first time ever - he's been homeless.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07- He's found it hard - to adapt to this life.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11- Me and my friend there, Ali...
0:08:11 > 0:08:15- ..we just pack our stuff up, carry - our rucksacks and walk around town.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19- Just to kill off the time. - Then we come back to square one.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22- We come straight back here, - put our bedding down...
0:08:22 > 0:08:24- ..and lie down for the night.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28- Unlike Neil's experience - in Bangor...
0:08:28 > 0:08:32- ..Anthony says people in Cardiff - aren't always kind.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36- You get the odd one - that might kick off.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39- Or they spit on you - or chuck something at you.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41- You just have to deal with that, - like.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44- Just let it go over your head.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47- There's not much support out there.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54- After saying goodbye, we started - looking for somewhere to sleep.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00- Look. This one opens at 6.30am.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05- They'll probably open up at 5.30am - so we'd have to leave then.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10- In the end, we chose - a restaurant doorway...
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- ..that offered a bit of shelter - in case it rained.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17- It's 1.15am - and we're on St Mary's Street.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20- We've settled here for the night.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23- The number of people - sleeping rough in Cardiff...
0:09:23 > 0:09:25- ..has doubled - over the past two years.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29- On an average night, about 30 people - sleep on the streets of the city.
0:09:37 > 0:09:42- It's now 2.00am and we've been - sitting here for about half an hour.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44- A lot of people have walked past...
0:09:44 > 0:09:47- ..but no-one's really - taken any notice of us.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51- We have the entire night - ahead of us.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56- I can't stop thinking that these - people have to do this every night.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58- It's not just for one night.
0:10:01 > 0:10:06- But I don't know how I'll even - close my eyes, let alone sleep.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12- There is another type - of homelessness.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16- In Caernarfon, I met Imogen - Griffiths who's 19 years old.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18- Hello, how are you?
0:10:18 > 0:10:22- She lives in a hostel after a period - of sleeping on friends' sofas...
0:10:22 > 0:10:24- ..and at her mother's.
0:10:25 > 0:10:26- It wasn't nice.
0:10:26 > 0:10:31- It was fine staying with friends - for a few days.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- After that, it wasn't very nice.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40- Her mother and brother - live in a two-bedroom property.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43- Imogen had moved out - to live with her aunt.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46- When things didn't work out - between them...
0:10:46 > 0:10:49- ..she found herself - having to sofa surf.
0:10:50 > 0:10:55- I was frightened. - I didn't know what was going on.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59- I didn't know when I was staying - with a friend...
0:10:59 > 0:11:01- ..and when I was staying - at my mother's.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07- It was a lonely time for Imogen.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10- She couldn't see a way out.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15- I felt ill.
0:11:16 > 0:11:21- I was so sad. It was horrible. - It wasn't nice.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24- You're young, - you're not sure what you're doing.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27- You try to carry on with college - and you work.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30- Then something like this happens.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33- After a while, she felt awkward...
0:11:33 > 0:11:36- ..asking friends and family - for a place to stay.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- She says she missed college a lot...
0:11:40 > 0:11:44- ..because her books - were all over the place.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48- I didn't want people to know - what was going on at home.
0:11:49 > 0:11:54- I was scared to ask for help. I felt - I was a burden on other people.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59- But when the college found out, - she was referred to GISDA...
0:12:00 > 0:12:03- ..a charity that offers - accommodation and support...
0:12:03 > 0:12:06- ..for young homeless people - in North West Wales.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09- Sion Owen works for the charity.
0:12:09 > 0:12:14- Nearly 250 young people have been - referred to them this year.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18- Most of the time, they've fallen out - with their family...
0:12:18 > 0:12:20- ..and they've nowhere to go.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23- There aren't many houses - for unemployed young people.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27- They have to turn to friends - or their family.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34- Only a handful of those referred - to the charity come off the street.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37- Many more are sofa surfers.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39- Although they have a roof - over their heads...
0:12:40 > 0:12:43- ..they don't have a permanent home.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46- You don't have a fixed address. - That's the biggest thing.
0:12:46 > 0:12:51- It's hard to receive benefits - without a fixed address.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54- It's hard to keep up - with appointments.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58- They don't have an address - for job application purposes.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00- There are so many problems.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04- After the break, - as night draws on...
0:13:04 > 0:13:07- ..there are drunk people - on the streets of Cardiff.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12- Some of them were quite threatening - so that's been a bit uncomfortable.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15- If I was here on my own, - I think I'd be a bit frightened.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19- What do you do when you're - approached by drunken men like that?
0:13:21 > 0:13:24- I will also return to Bangor - to see how Neil's getting on.
0:13:27 > 0:13:27- .
0:13:31 > 0:13:31- Subtitles
0:13:31 > 0:13:33- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:13:35 > 0:13:39- Over the last few weeks, I've been - travelling around Wales...
0:13:39 > 0:13:41- ..to find out more - about homelessness.
0:13:42 > 0:13:47- In Cardiff, I slept rough to see how - it feels to be out on the streets.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52- It's now 3.00am.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55- We've been here for about two hours.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58- Yeah. It's starting to get cold now.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00- My feet are getting really cold.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03- There have been - lots of people around.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08- Not many people stop - or even look at us.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10- They just walk past.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13- Thank you for stopping. - We're not homeless.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16- A few people - offered us money or food.
0:14:16 > 0:14:17- You can have it if you want.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20- You can have it if you want.- - No, take it. We're fine, you know.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23- We've already eaten - but thank you so much.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27- I decided I was going to give it - to the first homeless person I saw.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30- I'm going to leave it for you - anyway.
0:14:30 > 0:14:31- No, take it. Take it.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34- Thank you.
0:14:42 > 0:14:47- It's 4.00am. Since last time, a lot - of drunk people have come up to us.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51- Some of them were quite threatening - so that's been a bit uncomfortable.
0:14:51 > 0:14:56- If I was here on my own, - I think I'd be a bit frightened.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00- What do you do when you're - approached by drunken men like that?
0:15:00 > 0:15:02- That wasn't very nice.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15- In Bangor, I met Neil.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19- He said he'd been homeless - for three years.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27- I've returned to Bangor - to see how he's been...
0:15:27 > 0:15:30- ..especially - in the recent bad weather.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35- I saw you about three weeks ago. - Where are we now?
0:15:36 > 0:15:38- The same place. In Morrisons.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41- What have you been doing?
0:15:41 > 0:15:43- Same thing more or less. - On the street.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48- I'm under a shelter here - and there's a shelter over there.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50- Are you still sleeping - in the same place?
0:15:51 > 0:15:52- Yes?
0:15:52 > 0:15:55- What have you been doing - in this wet weather?
0:15:55 > 0:15:58- You just stick it out.
0:15:58 > 0:15:59- You're used to it.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04- He does a bit of gardening - in the summer...
0:16:05 > 0:16:08- ..but says it's more difficult - to find work in winter.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16- Sit around. - There's nothing to do, is there?
0:16:16 > 0:16:19- Check on computers - if there are any jobs going.
0:16:20 > 0:16:21- Are there any?
0:16:21 > 0:16:22- No.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31- What will you do on Christmas Day?
0:16:31 > 0:16:34- What am I going to do - on Christmas Day?
0:16:35 > 0:16:38- I don't know. - Maybe I'll go to a mate's house.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40- You haven't thought about it yet.
0:16:40 > 0:16:41- You haven't thought about it yet.- - No.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56- The next stop was Aberystwyth.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00- I met one person who found himself - homeless three years ago.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04- Luke Eira is 21 years old.
0:17:04 > 0:17:05- Hi, are you OK?
0:17:05 > 0:17:06- I'm fine. Come in.
0:17:06 > 0:17:07- I'm fine. Come in.- - Thank you.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14- I had to leave my mother's house.
0:17:14 > 0:17:20- I was placed in a small room...
0:17:21 > 0:17:24- ..a room for homeless people.
0:17:24 > 0:17:29- It was the type of place where if - you didn't have problems going in...
0:17:29 > 0:17:31- ..you probably would going out.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36- He felt lonely in the room.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39- He suffered from depression - for a while.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42- As a result, he moved to Ty Curig...
0:17:42 > 0:17:45- ..which offers support - for young homeless people.
0:17:47 > 0:17:54- When I first got to Ty Curig, - I didn't have a good feeling.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58- I felt quite apprehensive.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00- I was quite down at the time.
0:18:03 > 0:18:09- But they helped me a lot - and gave me support.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11- They've helped me with my life.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17- Luke's situation improved - with the support of Ty Curig.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21- Over a year ago, he moved on - to live in an independent flat...
0:18:22 > 0:18:23- ..linked to the project.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27- There's everything you need - in the flat.
0:18:28 > 0:18:34- There's a bedroom. - I have my own bathroom.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37- I have my own kitchen.
0:18:37 > 0:18:38- Everything.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43- He's started working - as a night porter...
0:18:43 > 0:18:46- ..and he also has his own - graphic design company.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49- Luke says the experience - of being homeless...
0:18:49 > 0:18:52- ..forced him to mature more quickly.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57- I am much more confident.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01- I'm doing what I want to do - with my life.
0:19:02 > 0:19:09- Before, I'd never had to deal - with anything difficult.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12- Because of that, it was tougher.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17- This experience has toughened me up. - I think that's a good thing.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29- In Caernarfon, GISDA - offers a similar service...
0:19:29 > 0:19:34- ..for young people - between 14 and 25 years of age.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37- There's a lot of help available.
0:19:37 > 0:19:43- They'll help with basics such as - budgeting, day to day life.
0:19:43 > 0:19:47- They organize activities - like cooking sessions...
0:19:48 > 0:19:52- ..which will help you to move on - to live in your own place.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57- Imogen feels a lot more confident - since coming to live at the hostel.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00- She's learning to live - independently...
0:20:00 > 0:20:03- ..although it's hard - to do everything.
0:20:03 > 0:20:08- I'm trying to get a place of my own - and trying to do well in college.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12- I'm more confident - now that I'm here...
0:20:12 > 0:20:16- ..because they try to help you - be a better person.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20- Imogen doesn't fit the image - of a homeless person.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23- But she's one of a growing number - of the hidden homeless...
0:20:24 > 0:20:26- ..who've had to sleep - on friends' sofas.
0:20:27 > 0:20:32- People think that homeless people - sleep in doorways and on the street.
0:20:32 > 0:20:37- But it's the same when - you're living on someone's sofa.
0:20:37 > 0:20:42- You can't tell by looking at someone - that they're a sofa surfer.
0:20:46 > 0:20:51- In Bangor, Neil has been living - on the streets for three years.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55- What are your hopes for the future?
0:20:55 > 0:20:58- I don't know.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03- I just hope something will happen.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05- I'll bump into someone.
0:21:06 > 0:21:07- Would you like to go back to work?
0:21:07 > 0:21:09- Would you like to go back to work?- - Yes, yes.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12- From one day to the next...
0:21:12 > 0:21:15- ..Neil doesn't know - where his next meal will come from.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18- And he doesn't know - where he'll sleep.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22- Where do you think - you'll sleep tonight?
0:21:22 > 0:21:24- No idea. I haven't a clue.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27- I haven't a clue.
0:21:27 > 0:21:28- Does that happen every night?
0:21:28 > 0:21:29- Does that happen every night?- - Yes.
0:21:39 > 0:21:44- Back in Cardiff, there are signs - that it's nearly morning.
0:21:50 > 0:21:55- It's now 5.00am. My feet are cold - and it's six degrees Celsius.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59- I can't imagine how it would be if - it was freezing. It's already cold.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04- I don't know how they do it, - sleeping out like this every night.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09- I haven't slept a wink.
0:22:09 > 0:22:14- At 5.30am, the restaurant owners - arrive to start preparing breakfast.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18- We're told to move on.
0:22:19 > 0:22:24- It's now 6.00am. - I feel quite tired and I'm cold.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29- But who am I to complain? - I've only slept rough for one night.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34- I think about all the homeless - people I've met who sleep rough.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36- This is their reality every night.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02- S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.
0:23:02 > 0:23:03- .