Guest
Homelessness in Britain is reaching endemic proportions, with new research by Centrepoint finding that as many as 122,000 young people aged 16-24 presented to their local authority as homeless or at risk of homelessness in the past year. This follows a 40 per cent increase in youth homelessness over the previous five years, with this trend only expected to continue as the government pushes ahead with planned cuts to universal credit. “The problem is worse than it was a decade ago and it’s actually worse than it was two years ago,” said Seyi Obakin, the chief executive of Centrepoint. “It is heart-breaking to see the range of complex issues that young people are presenting with is also getting wider.” The young people who find themselves at risk of homelessness, and the set of circumstances that have led them there, are far from uniform. This means that a one-size-fits-all approach is not going to provide the right support for everyone, particularly as the number of young people facing homelessness continues to grow. A breakdown of relations with family members is by far the most common reason that young people find themselves homeless, with 60 per cent stating that they found themselves homeless after their family or friends were no longer able to accommodate them. Gang crime or mental and physical health problems are also often cited as the reasons young people find themselves without a permanent home. While it is clear youth homelessness is on the rise, the statistics fail to capture the true scale of the problem, with many people forced to sleep on night buses or friends’ sofas. These ‘hidden homeless’ often fall beneath the radar but are just as vulnerable and in need of support. The way youth homelessness must be addressed is not as simple as just finding suitable housing for those in need. Young people who have experienced homelessness often have mental health needs, and physical health requirements. Likewise, many are dealing with substance abuse issues, while others, such as care leavers, do not have adequate support systems. The complex requirements of these young people means that a holistic approach, rooted in creativity, is required to tackle the youth homelessness crisis. sources:
