Teenager to become homeless as hostel he lives in set to be bulldozed

By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter

A teenager “kicked out” by his parents fears he will become homeless after the hostel he is currently living in is set to be bulldozed.

David Andrade, 19, has lived in a hostel run by Evolve Housing and Support in Stockwell Road, Lambeth, for the past two years, after leaving the family home aged 17.

However, the teen was dealt a blow after “being told in a letter” last year that residents would “have to leave the building for it to be knocked down”.

At first, Mr Andrade said he was told he would be supported into new accommodation, but he now claims this offer has been changed.

He said: “I found out a year ago, I got told in a letter. Originally the plan was they were going to help us and house us anywhere they could support us, instead of being on the streets. But then they completely turned around and we’ve been told to look for private renting.”

Mr Andrade said he was originally told to move out on March 15, but has since been offered more time to find another option. The teenager said he was also offered flat viewings but feels the help “doesn’t really make a difference”.

Mr Andrade said it’s been a “big struggle” to find a place to live given his age and added: “It’s just stressful for us because like I said from getting kicked out today, I’ve got no idea where I’m going. I’m just packing. I don’t know where I’m gonna take my stuff. It just feels a bit mad… What they’re doing is not right, they are making people homeless again.”

The teenager said he was initially placed at the hostel by his social worker after being kicked out of his family home, and is now hoping to move his things back into the house while he finds somewhere else.

The teenager said he has been annoyed by his interactions with staff at Evolve while moving out and claims they “haven’t been supportive”.

An Evolve Housing and Support spokesman said: “With regards to Mr Andrade, we would need to look into things before commenting, but we would always encourage anybody who is unhappy with our service to contact us.

“We can confirm that he has been offered alternative accommodation and is being supported by Lambeth council. We are sorry that David feels he has not received the best service, and we will reach out to him to get his feedback.”

A Lambeth council spokesman said: “We have announced our decision to decommission the two large hostels we currently use – including Evolve. We are instead commissioning some 200 new units of small, specialist housing-related support provision that will better meet the needs of our young people.”

The spokesman said every young person leaving the hostel on Stockwell Road has been offered accommodation, with some being given a number of alternative options.

They added: “Where residents have declined the offer of accommodation, we have written to each informing them that the council will continue to support them following their moves from the service, and that anyone who sources their own properties, with support from their support worker, can access £2000 to help towards their first months’ rent and deposit.”

Pictured top: David Andrade, 19, shown in front of the Evolve Housing and Support hostel in Stockwell Road (Picture: Joe Coughlan)