What are my options?

If you decide to leave home, take time to get organised. You need time to plan and prepare - the more time you can spend getting prepared, the better. Leaving home means thinking about how much rent you can pay, whether you have enough money to pay for a deposit and/or rent in advance.

If you don't have much money there may be help - search for Paying the Rent. And remember, landlords like references from your school, college, support worker or employer.

It can be difficult finding somewhere to live - what you'll end up with isn't necessarily what you were originally hoping for, but you could start to look for better housing once you have settled. You can get advice from a Citizens' Advice Bureau (www.adviceguide.org.uk), your local Council or a local youth advice centre. But here's a quick run through of the various options that you'll face once you've decided to leave home.

1) Private renting

The most common type of housing for young people is renting from a private landlord. It might be a self contained flat, house, or a bedsit. Most young people move into shared accommodation such as renting a room in someone's house or sharing a flat.

You usually need enough money to pay some rent in advance and a deposit. The standard of accommodation varies but there is a real shortage of good and cheap private rented accommodation. There's much more detail on rented accommodation below in the -?Renting your home- section.

2) Hostels/Housing Schemes

There are many hostels and housing schemes throughout the UK. They are often seen as somewhere to stay for a few nights but some offer accommodation for up to two years. In some hostels you will have to share a room; in others you get your own room.

Some hostels only accommodate young people and many will help you to find more permanent accommodation. Some will offer more support and can be suitable if you don't feel ready to cope with a place of your own. They are particularly relevant if you are on a low income and/or under 18.

Hostels and housing schemes are run by a wide range of organisations including the YMCA, local councils and the Salvation Army. To find out about hostels in your area contact one of the agencies listed at the end of this chapter. Check with the hostel whether you can apply direct to them for a place, or if you have to be referred, for example by a council housing department or by a youth project.

3) Foyers

Foyers provide somewhere to live and also help with training and finding employment. Accommodation is generally a single or a shared bedroom and bathroom, with access to a shared kitchen and living area. The accommodation is usually of a high standard. The length of stay is normally one to two years.

Most foyers have a waiting list. There are two foyers in Gloucestershire - one in Cheltenham and one in Painswick. Check with the foyer whether you can apply direct to them for a place, or if you have to be referred, for example by a council housing department or a youth project. Contact details about foyers in Gloucestershire, are at the end of this chapter.

4) Council and Housing Association homes

Local Councils have houses and flats to rent in most areas. To go on their housing waiting list you will have to fill in an application form. Some may not let young people register until they are 18. In general this is a lengthy process and choices are limited so apply early, especially if you are likely to live in your local area for a long time.

Housing Associations are organisations that rent houses and flats. Some specialise in housing for young people, so try to find out about these as they may get you somewhere more quickly. Rents are usually cheaper than with a private landlord. To apply for a housing association home you either go on the council's housing waiting list or apply to the housing association direct. For contact details, look at the end of this chapter.

5) Staying with friends

Staying with friends means living with people you know, and gives you a breathing space to look into other options. However you could be asked to leave at short notice. Taking advice from an organisation listed at the end of the chapter as soon as possible to work out where you can move on to is a good idea.

6) Squatting

Squatting is where someone enters and lives in a place without the owner's permission. Squatters can be evicted easily and run the risk of being convicted of a number of criminal offences. This is not an advisable housing solution without a full understanding of the law around squatting.

7) Other possibilities

Depending on your circumstances other options could include:

• student accommodation (if you are at college there may be an accommodation office)
• lodging (renting a room within a house with meals often included)
• nurses homes
• housing cooperatives
• shared ownership schemes
• Tied accommodation (this comes with a job, especially in hotel/catering work)