'I've been left to fend for myself'

CARE LEAVER WHO FOUND HIMSELF HOMELESS SAID THE LACK OF SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE LIKE HIM IS 'SHOCKING'

- By EDWARD BARNES Local Democracy Reporter

A CARE leaver said he did not realise how bad homelessness was in Merseyside until he was on the streets himself.

Leon Finley, who has been homeless since March, felt “people need to know what is going on.”

The 21-year-old was in the care system for about five years until he turned 18 but in March this year, his private landlord cancelled his tenancy. Leon said this was over a noise complaint but claims he was not at the house at the time.

Leon, from Wirral, said he was kicked out the next day and was left to sleep on a friend’s couch. That no longer became an option due to a change of circumstances and he has been borrowing money from friends since to keep a roof over his head as well as volunteering for local homeless charity Step to Shelter.

He claims he was told by Wirral Council’s homelessness service he was not top priority for housing despite mental health diagnoses, suicidal thoughts, and his status as a care leaver. At one point he claims he was told by the local authority: “Stop calling the line, we can’t do anything for you.”