You may have heard about the #HostEnvironmentalPledge campaign which launched at the start of the 2018/19 academic year. Basically, through small actions such as turning off lights when leaving a room and unplugging phone chargers when not in use, we’re hoping to save energy at all of our sites across the UK and Ireland. And by doing so, not only will we become more environmentally friendly, but in return for saving energy we’ll be donating money to charity. And one of the 3 charities we’ve chosen to support is LandAid.

Who are LandAid?

LandAid is the property industry charity working to end youth homelessness in the UK. LandAid provides safe, suitable and affordable accommodation for young people who are homeless across the UK.

Why LandAid?

When talking of homelessness, most people probably think of someone sleeping on the street. Whilst this can often be the most dangerous and the most visible form of homelessness, there’s more to it than just this.

Homelessness means not having somewhere to call home. A place that is private, secure, decent and affordable and where you have a right to stay. If you’re staying somewhere but it’s unsafe for you to stay, if you cannot afford to live there or you are forced to constantly move, you can still be considered homeless.

And unfortunately, for many young people this is the dangerous reality; around 86,000 young people in the UK will be homeless this year. For those who don’t have a stable home, everything else can become more difficult for them too. From holding down a job or staying in school or education to even just keeping clean and looking presentable. So, what are the main causes of homelessness?

The single biggest cause of homelessness is family breakdown – which was a factor in almost half of youth homelessness cases last year. This is where young people are unable to continue living with their parents or care-givers for reasons such as conflict, violence and sexual abuse.

Personal problems such as mental health difficulties or substance abuse issues can also leave young people more vulnerable to becoming homeless. And once young people fall into homelessness, these problems are likely to become more severe. Young people from certain backgrounds are also more likely to fall victim to homelessness. Care leavers, refugees, and young people in the criminal justice system more at risk.

How do LandAid help to make a difference?

LandAid bring together businesses and individuals from across the property industry to support charities delivering life-changing projects for young people who are or have been homeless, or who are at risk of homelessness.

As a charitable trust, LandAid award grants to exceptional charities in the UK who are working to tackle youth homelessness. Their life-changing grants are invested in capital projects to create much-needed safe, warm homes for young people experiencing homelessness across the UK.

As well as accommodation, their projects provide a wide range of services to help young people rebuild their lives. Everything from education and training, to support with mental health and learning vital life skills.

LandAid invests over £1 million every year in projects working to end youth homelessness. But they don’t just write a cheque and walk away. Instead, LandAid works alongside its projects for a number of years. They provide strategic advice, bringing in property expertise, and in many cases funding them on more than one occasion.

With the support of others, LandAid can keep providing young people with the safe, warm homes they need to achieve their potential and reach a brighter future.

If you’d like to find out more about LandAid and the work that they do, visit their website landaid.org.

If you’re living with us at Host, make your pledge to become more environmentally friendly and support LandAid. Or support one of our other charities; Student Minds and Just a Drop. Keep an eye out in the coming weeks for more news on the #HostEnvironmentalPledge campaign and the charities we’re supporting.