The causes of youth homelessness
The common causes of youth homelessness include family breakdown, leaving care, exclusion from school, gang crime, escaping violence and mental health issues.
Ending youth homelessness
We want to end youth homelessness by 2037
What is youth homelessness?
Over 118,000 young people approached their local authority for help in 2023-24. That’s one young person becoming homeless every four minutes.
The impact of youth homelessness
Being homeless is complex and a very different experience for every young person we support.
How we can end youth homelessness
Together we can tackle the crisis of youth homelessness today and end it for generations to come. Here’s how we do it.
Take action with us
Find out about our current policy campaigns to help end youth homelessness.
Real stories
Hear from young people who have been homeless
Samsom’s story: I feel happy. I feel proud.
Samsom, 18, came to the UK in 2023 as an unaccompanied asylum-seeking child, after he had to leave his home country of Eritrea. After living with his foster family until he was 16, he moved into a Centrepoint supported home. He's now…
Isaiah’s story: Creating a tranquil space
Isaiah, 18, came to Centrepoint after his Special Guardianship Order (SGO) ended as he became a young adult. Since living with Centrepoint he's been developing his cooking abilities, growing his independent skills and has recently helped…
Jess’s story: I’m proud of myself for everything I’ve been through
Jess was referred to Centrepoint when due to unforeseen circumstances, she had to leave her family home. She was denied support from the council and applied to Centrepoint’s Independent Living Programme. After applying to the programme, she…
Research reports
Read our latest research into the issues affecting homeless young people
No young person left out: Estimating the local authority funding needs to support young people experiencing homelessness
Under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, everyone in England approaching their local authority for help because they are homeless or at risk of homelessness is entitled to an assessment. Unfortunately, Centrepoint’s Databank research has…
Waiting for the next blow-up: Family breakdown and youth homelessness
Family breakdown is the main cause of youth homelessness. Our research shows that while conflict happens in all families and is triggered by similar topics, it is far more likely to escalate in households that are already facing multiple…
Move on for young people experiencing homelessness in 2023-24
This research explores the barriers young people face in securing stable housing. Our 2023-24 Move On report is the first iteration of a multi-year research project exploring the accessibility and affordability of housing for young people…