Carl's story
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Musician Carl Barat, of pop band Dirty Pretty Things, may be a famous rock star now, but he is no stranger to bad housing. He told Shelter his story.
From home to homeless
Carl was 18 when he left home. He had a place at university and moved into the halls of residence. This was Carl's first experience of living on his own, it was freedom - but it came at a cost.... Carl fell out with his roommates, the halls reminded him of prison and he moved out.
Squatting
He moved in with his friend and fellow musician, Pete Doherty, and lived in a succession of houses and squats, some shared with drug addicts. They moved from one bad housing situation to another, gaining access to apartments through the back window and sharing a house with fellow squatters who lit a bonfire indoors.
Fame without fortune
I believe everyone should be entitled to a home
Things got better when Carl and Peter formed their band, the Libertines, unfortunately this didn't last long and the group split up. Carl was left homeless with nowhere to go and no one to turn to for help. He couldn't find a place in a hostel and was forced to sleep rough for several nights.
Carl says: 'I believe everyone should be entitled to a home. I'm supporting Know your rights because I don't want young people to feel like they've got nowhere to turn and end up homeless like I did.'
