This document discusses Belgium's policies around preventing homelessness among youth exiting public care systems. Specific measures target care leavers to help them avoid homelessness, including an Action Plan for Socially Vulnerable Young Adults that aims to improve coordination across youth services, welfare, housing, and healthcare. Housing policies also give priority access to social housing for vulnerable youth, though more could be done to support those aided by general welfare rather than just special youth services. The document examines several good practice examples in Belgium and argues for continued efforts to bridge services across sectors to smooth young adults' transition from care to independence.

1. Impact of public youth protection / care on homelesness
Specific policy measures targeting care leavers and preventing them to become homeless : the case of Belgium .
Itte Van Hecke – Steunpunt Algemeen Welzijnswerk
Investing in young people to prevent a lost generation in Europe: key policy and practice in addressing youth homelessness
8th November 2013, Prague, Czech Republic

2. Introduction: the case of Miranda
18 years old
slightly mentally handicapped
tired of the involvement of workers
she didn’t survive living on her own
The reality of leaving care for young adults
Investing in young people to prevent a lost generation in Europe: key policy and practice in addressing youth homelessness
8th November 2013, Prague, Czech Republic

4. Target group : young adults with complex issues, dual diagnoses, socially vulnerable
17 – 25: transition from expendence to independence
Social paradox
Care leavers as a disadvantaged group: a crisisful transition
Social exclusion
These young adults need a range of support across the border of 18 and over the boundaries of sectors

5. Attempt to cross-sectoral policies:bridging boundaries and organising footsteps
regarding the organisation of care
Youth care
General welfare work
regarding housing policy

6. Youth Care: the political debate

7. Integral Youth Care
6 key objectives:
Maximum participation of the client
Timely access to youth care
Ensured continuity of aid/care Adequate dealing with alarming situations Deinstitutionalisation and socialization of care , empowerment and recovering or building social and potentially supportive networks around the youngsters Ensure youth care in situations of crisis
Youth care for minus 18 What’s in it for young adults?

8. Action Plan Socially Vulnerable Young Adults
Department of Welfare, Health and Family
6 clusters
Approaching vulnerable youth as a separate target group
A program for Crisis Aid for young adults
Supporting young adults, their parents and carers
Screening and optimalization regulations
Pursuing help continuity and coordination
Flexible age limit for client consultation
Results today?

9. Perspective 2020 : Circular concerning the extension of supervised independent living for persons with disabilities.
Realization of necessary improvement in other health sectors in order to support inclusive care of persons with disabilities
Promotion of the strengthening of cooperation between the sectors “persons with disabilities“ and "general welfare"
The offer is aimed at young adults ( 17 to 25 years ) with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities and / or behavioral and emotional problems
The circular sets out 3 major objectives : 1. Extending the offer of assisted living 2. Expertise building 3. Intersectoral collaboration and networking

10. Housing policy

11. Framework social rent sector
The social housing sector should strive for improving access for vulnerable groups while the welfare sector should provide support to tenants when this is needed.
In the social rent sector ‘priority rules’ were introduced to give pre- defined socially vulnerable groups in need priority on the waiting lists: also adolescents in youth care.
But only youngsters supported by organisations of ‘special youth care’ are eligible for this priority rule. Others, for instance supported by the centres for general welfare work, are still facing the same waiting lists as before.
These groups cannot benefit unconditionally from this new priority policy. They will only be prioritised if there is an agreement with a welfare institution to provide housing support. If tenants break this agreement, the rental contract can be ended.

12. Good Practices
“Collaborating Connects” – Leuven
“Bridges crossing 18” – Gent
Care Program “Living for young adults” – Asse
“The Alternative” – Antwerpen
….and many more

13. Thank you.
More information:
www.steunpunt.be/onderwerpen/thuisloosheid/inspirerendepraktijken
Praktijkdossier Loopplanken voor jongvolwassenen: http://www.steunpunt.be/library/87
Beleidsdossier Jongvolwassenen:Tussen wal en schip?:
http://www.steunpunt.be/library/23
Itte Van Hecke
Itte.vanhecke@steunpunt.be
0032 492 73 54 30
Investing in young people to prevent a lost generation in Europe: key policy and practice in addressing youth homelessness
8th November 2013, Prague, Czech Republic