Press Release

Youth homelessness figures falling, but at least 75,000 young people are still at risk

9 May 2008

The first UK-wide review of youth homelessness for a decade reveals that the number of young people accepted as homeless has fallen in England and Wales in the last three years, but remained unchanged in Scotland and Northern Ireland. However, at least 75,000 young people are in contact with homelessness services every year.

The report, published today (9 May) by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, found that young women are more likely to be statutorily homeless than young men. The main trigger for youth homelessness is relationship breakdown (usually with a parent or step-parent). For many, this is a consequence of long-term conflict within the home and often involves violence.

The report looked at the effectiveness of policy developments implemented over the last decade to address youth homelessness. It found that, overall, services considered that policy was moving in the right direction, although young people were less positive, citing the challenges they faced in securing appropriate and affordable housing.

Services were more effective and coordinated in their approach to meeting the needs of young people aged 16 to 17, and those looked after by the local authority, than a decade ago. However, they regarded young people aged between 18 and 24 as in a comparatively worse position now.

Models of temporary accommodation for young people were well developed, although there remained a lack of suitable emergency accommodation and move-on housing options. Floating support was widely available and appeared successful.

Deborah Quilgars, one of the report’s authors, said: “This review demonstrates that important progress has been made in tackling youth homelessness over the last decade, particularly amongst the younger age group. However, young people still report problems in accessing some services as well as appropriate longer-term accommodation when they can no longer stay with their family or are ready for independent living. The evidence suggests that future policy should build on the preventative agenda, both in terms of earlier interventions and the creation of more affordable housing pathways for young people."

Caroline Day, Senior Policy and Research Officer at Centrepoint, commented: “This new review provides us with an opportunity to develop a national picture of the nature and extent of youth homelessness today. Having a home is necessary for young people to access services, to take an active part in communities and contribute to wider society. In short, to be homeful not homeless. It is important we understand and build on what has been successful and change what hasn’t worked, focusing our sights on the ultimate goal – that no young person should become homeless."

The report also found that homelessness can instigate or compound existing mental health and/or drug misuse problems amongst young people. There is a strong association between homelessness and withdrawing from education, employment or training. Many young people reported feeling that their lives were “on hold” whilst experiencing homelessness.