Doorway, the charity for homeless single adults in North Wiltshire has recorded that 13% of those guests seeking help for the first time last year were in secure accomodation but had complex issues affecting their ability to manage their affairs.

As well as helping people who are literally without a roof, the Doorway drop-in also helps single adults who have a home, but who also have a disability, illness, lifestyle or lack of basic skills to manage their affairs which is likely to threaten their housing security.

The majority of guests at the drop-in centre have complex needs including physical and mental health issues; substance use; debt; and poor social or life skills.

In the last 12 months, nearly half were homeless as a result of relationship breakdown when first interviewed.

Homelessness or housing insecurity are likely to exacerbate existing problems and generate new ones, making it harder for homeless single people to acquire and sustain a tenancy of their own. The consequence is that as time goes by many homeless people are less likely to be able to sustain a tenancy, even when they reach the top of the housing waiting list.

Lisa Lewis, Doorway spokesperson, stated: "Losing your home can happen overnight and without warning. Redundancy or job loss can lead to relationship breakdown and eviction from the family home. This in turn can lead to depression and homelessness, substance dependency and social isolation. As a single adult without dependents, it is increasingly difficult to find accommodation privately if you have a low income, or through the Council housing waiting list. If a person is lucky enough to secure a tenancy, research shows that the period of being homeless can affect their ability to perform the normal everyday tasks associated with running a home e.g. paying bills on time."

Doorway Manager, Margaret Cleverley, said: " Over the years we have seen signs of positive change in some of our guests. In the coming year we have plans to support even more guests to move on in their lives. We hope to appoint a Support Services Manager and train some of our volunteers to offer more in-depth one to one support to our guests. Staff will work with other partners to build guests' self esteem and develop new skills as they work towards a more independent way of life."

article added 8th January 2007