The next General Election represents a chance for the next Government to support young people to overcome the challenges created by homelessness and achieve their full potential.
If the next Government does not act, we are not only going to keep losing billions of pounds every year, but we will continue to waste the huge potential of the young people who represent the future of our society.
It is now time to act. It's time to end youth homelessness.
Local Government must be better equipped to deal with youth homelessness.
Young people facing homelessness often have to deal with the consequences of homelessness alone because Local Authorities and services are severely underfunded and understaffed.
Therefore, the next Government must act to enable Local Authorities to support young people who present to them in need of homelessness support.
Address the housing crisis for young people.
Skyrocketing private rents, a record low number of social homes built in the last decade and a four-year cash freeze in Local Housing Allowance have caused a housing crisis that has pushed more young people into homelessness.
Accordingly, the next Government must ensure that young people can access affordable housing, either in the social or private rented sectors, and that organisations are empowered to develop innovative housing products that meet local needs such as Stepping Stone Accommodation.
Improve access to employment for young people in supported accommodation.
Young people are bearing the consequences of the economic challenges of the last few years, with high rates of unemployment and economic inactivity, a record number relying on benefits to make ends meet and extreme challenges in accessing employment opportunities.
These challenges have been particularly acute for young people living in supported housing who, as a result of the benefits system, are dissuaded from accessing employment, developing their work experience and building their earned income.
As such, the next Government must address the systemic inequality in the nation’s benefits system, and ensure that all young people living in supported accommodation can access employment.
This election is a chance for the next Government to support young people to overcome the challenges created by homelessness and achieve their full potential.
This General Election, we have a rare opportunity to get leaders of all parties to focus on this mounting crisis and properly support young people at risk of homelessness - but they won’t listen unless we grow a movement so big they have to listen to our calls for change. Are you in?
