One in 10 people between 16 and 24 fear a life on the streets, according to research by Shelter.

Nearly one in five people questioned admitted they would not know where to turn if they faced homelessness.

Forum Response: Shelter

Ben Jackson, external affairs director at Shelter, said: "Through our services and work with young people we are aware of the range of housing and homelessness issues facing them, however we are shocked at the poll results which highlight the enormous scale of the problem-ranging from those who have been homeless, to those who have had a very real fear of homelessness, through to those who are worried about leaving home and are unaware of their rights or how to find decent housing.

"Through our partnership with Nescafe we are determined to raise awareness among young people of the housing and homelessness problems they may face and to ensure they are aware of the advice and support services Shelter has to offer them if they encounter any of these problems."

Forum Response: Centrepoint

A spokesman for Centrepoint told ePolitix.com: "It is not surprising that one in 10 young people fear a life on the streets. Indeed, recent research has shown that in any one year, one in 20 young people are likely to present themselves as homeless.

"Centrepoint, the leading charity for homeless young people, house over 500 clients a night, the majority of whom - as the Shelter study suggests - leave home because of family breakdown."

Forum Response: Barnardo's

Pam Hibbert, principal policy officer at Barnardo's, told ePolitix.com: "We are not surprised by Shelter's report as our work with vulnerable young people, particularly in the 15 projects supporting homeless young people, would suggest similar issues.

"Most young people between the ages of 16 to 17 who are homeless are almost always in that position because of family breakdown. They do not choose to be homeless. They face not only poor accommodation, but have to prove their 'estrangement' to get any sort of benefit and are forced into shared accommodation by the provisions of 'The Young Persons Rent'.

"We have examples of young people who have been vulnerable to exploitation or assault because of this very situation."

Forum Response: Novas-Ouvertures Group

Maria Donoghue, chief executive for Novas-Ouvertures Group, told ePolitix.com: "For all homeless people, young or old, providing services is more than providing accommodation and food.

"People become homeless for a variety of reasons, such as relationship breakdown, drug or alcohol dependency, job redundancy and ill mental health. Unless those underlying needs can be addressed, the cycle of homelessness and vulnerability may never be broken. Moving into a hostel or on to independent living should signal a new beginning, new-found confidence and new hope in someone's life, not merely somewhere to sleep.

"One of the most important factors is treating each homeless person as the individual they are. Gearing up services to be flexible enough to meet individual needs is part of that approach."