The reason I'm homeless is my fault because I had a flat before but I gave it up. But then there were reasons why I gave it up.
When I think of home, I think of a living room with a comfy settee, and watching the telly. Everything's yours.
Jo
I've got a little boy and I was living with his dad. He smashed everything up. There was nothing left there, tellys, sterios - he smashed everything up and there was nothing left. I didn't want to live there any more.
I gave the flat up and I moved in with my mum and dad - worst thing I ever done, but I thought it was a good idea at the time. That's why I'm living in a hostel now because it's the only way I can get a flat.
It's been mad living in a hostel. It's made me grow up loads. I'm a cleaner, tidier person. I used to drink loads. I can see the neighbours and they're all drunks, and it's just made me think I don't wanna be like that. I definitely don't want to end up like that. I would have ended up like it if I hadn't sorted myself out.
I moved back to my mum's when my little boy was two and he's seven now. My mum kicked me out about a year ago, but he stayed there because he goes to the same school as my little brothers and sisters. He's been there since he was two. Every Christmas he's spent there, every birthday.
To take him into a hostel as mother and kid - it'd be cruel because he's not used to that life. He calls my brothers and sisters his brothers and sisters.
I know people could turn around and say it's just an excuse for you not to be looking after him, but it'd be cruel to take him away from there.
As soon as I get a flat, it's going to be really nice, not scruffy and dirty - somewhere he's going to like being.
Everywhere I look in my room now I can see pictures of him. He's a mad kid, he's mental. He's really funny, he comes out with mad stuff, and it's all about Joey.
It used to be all about my ex-boyfriend. I was in love with him and didn't care about anything else. Joey was being looked after so I wasn't bothered. But I've definitely grown up loads now and it's all about Joey. That's why in the hostel, to get a place so I can be with him.
I've messed up loads, but the last couple of months everything's working out, and I'm building bridges with people that I broke before. Yeah - I'd just like to be sorted, settled, happy, comfortable, with my little boy.
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I live in a hostel and I am just 18. You make it sound like everyone at a hostel is a drunk and druggies. Where I live most people do have drug issues and drink issues but it's because of their family situation, not because they were a drunk/druggie that they got into this sort of situation. I live in a hostel with people aged 16-19 and it's like a mad house but at the same time we all support each other. Saying this I'm currently at the connection center because I've been kicked out for having people in my room after 12pm - here you're treated like a kid.
Ikbal Cam from Turkey
I just felt like I owe something to put in here after reading this. I'm a stranger in Newport and leaving here in a few weeks. I doubt if Jo will ever read my note, but I really appreciate her thoughts and desire to make up her life and her son. I hope she will succeed what she wants to do. I'm somehow impressed with her thoughts being evolved as she has experienced some bad things and now having an aspect what any normal/ordinary people don't see or ignore in real life. Good luck, Jo.
Lisa Peart from Newport
This page has given me a great insight into homelessness and the different circumstances that can lead up to it. After being homeless myself I find that I can relate to Jo and understand where she is coming from and her honesty is something that I admire.
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