Home for Christmas (From Barry And District News)

Home for Christmas

CONTROVERSIAL reports on the Homes 4 U Scheme has prompted a local charity to hit back.

Llanmau is an organisation that helps people with no permanent address find somewhere to live. But it is worried that the unrest caused through the re-designation of property around Gibbonsdown recently has given homelessness a bad public image.

Head of advice, Sam Austin, said: "We are extremely concerned about the negative portrayal of people experiencing homelessness in the Vale of Glamorgan."

Sam argues many people find themselves in this type of situation through no fault of their own.

One such case concerns Antony Pesticcio, a 19-year-old originally from Cardiff. He was helped to get into a flat in St Paul's Avenue four weeks ago, and is enjoying domestic life.

He told the News: "I have been in and out of care for years. When I turned 15, there was nowhere for me to go. I stayed with my sister for a while, but she didn't have much room. Then I just went from sofa to sofa.

"Living rough, I was getting depressed and was having suicidal thoughts. I knew things had to change when I met my girlfriend, Ceri. She's still in school and doing really well. She said unless I got myself sorted out, there was no future for us.

"Cardiff council didn't have the resources to help me, but I was put in touch with Llanmau. They gave me two appointments and then wrote me a reference.

"One of the hardest hurdles to overcome is the lack of trust some landlords have of homeless people, which can hold you back from applying for a flat.

"Llanmau helped me to beat the system, as I call it. Now I'm looking for a job as a labourer or a plumber.

"I'm all ready for Christmas, and I have a future I can look forward to."