大象传媒

The weather and being under threat from members of the public makes rough sleeping the most dangerous type of homelessness.

Two years ago, Framework, a charity in Nottingham started a new initiative called Housing First, which aims to get rough sleepers into their own properties as soon as possible followed by ongoing, intense support from the team of support workers.

Lisa, a former addict and rough sleeper, got the keys to her flat two months ago. After a period of uncertainty and anxiety about leaving her street friends behind, she now wants to get her life on track and integrate herself into society again, but have her four years sleeping on the street damaged her confidence too much?

Kain is further along the system having had his apartment since March 2021. With the support of Housing First, he now writes rap lyrics about his time sleeping rough and has started an undergraduate degree in business studies with the aim of being able to set up a business that can help people in the same way Housing First helped him.

As a further insight to how the system works, we see how Housing First are turning their former offices in to new purpose-built flats for homeless people, as well as being present at a 'sign up' - the moment that a long-term rough sleeper sees their own property for the first time. And there鈥檚 support at the sign-up from a surprising person!