On February 10th, Centrepoint hosted a Parliamentary Launch Event to unveil its latest findings from the 2025 Databank. The event brought together policymakers, housing experts, and young people with lived experience to discuss the 118,134 young people who were homeless or at risk in 2023-2024.
This year’s report took an intersectional approach, examining the impact of gender and nationality on young people’s experiences of homelessness. By delving deeper into these factors, Centrepoint aimed to inform policy changes and intervention strategies that better address the needs of vulnerable youth.
The Reality of Youth Homelessness in the UK
Youth homelessness remains a pressing issue, affecting thousands of young people who struggle with housing insecurity each year. The 2023-2024 findings highlighted a 10% increase in the number of young people approaching local authorities for help compared to the previous year.
Key Statistics from the Youth Homelessness Databank:
- 118,134 young people were homeless or at risk in the UK last year.
- 1 in 62 young people experienced homelessness.
- Only 67% of young people who sought support were assessed.
- A young person became homeless approximately every 4 minutes.
Understanding these figures is essential to tackling the root causes of homelessness and ensuring young people receive the support they need.
Regional Trends and Causes of Youth Homelessness
The main reasons young people became homeless in 2023-2024 include:
- Family or friends unable to accommodate (50%)
- Domestic abuse (10%)
- End of tenancy agreements (8%)
- Leaving Home Office asylum accommodation (6%)
- Eviction from supported housing (5%)
These causes highlight the complex and often precarious situations that force young people into homelessness, reinforcing the need for early intervention and sustainable housing solutions.
Lived Experience: Sarah’s Story
Sarah became homeless at 18 years old after a financial dispute with her mother. Despite working as a cleaner and contributing to household expenses, her mum asked her to pay more or threatened to throw her out.
“I became so upset and angry; probably the angriest I’ve ever felt. I told her that I would give her the money if I could see it was going on bills, but she wouldn’t make that promise. I just couldn’t deal with it anymore. I needed to get away from her because living with her was extremely damaging to my mental health. I was scared that I would cause harm to myself or my Mum, so I called the police and asked them to come and get me.”
Sarah reached out to the Centrepoint Helpline, which helped her access support services. She now lives in a self-contained flat, supported by Centrepoint’s Floating Support team, and is working towards a stable, independent future.
Gender and Youth Homelessness
Gender plays a significant role in homelessness experiences and access to support:
- 54% of those seeking help were women (54,500 presentations)
- 40% were men (40,500 presentations)
- 4% identified as other or unknown (3,500 presentations)
At the relief stage (for those already experiencing homelessness), men were less likely to receive support, suggesting a need for targeted interventions at different stages of the Homelessness Reduction Act (HRA) process.
Local authority staff highlighted the unique challenges faced by young women with children, who often struggle to maintain employment and secure housing when informal childcare networks break down.
Nationality and Youth Homelessness Barriers
- 72% were UK nationals
- 8% were non-EEA nationals
- 4% were EEA nationals
Young refugees and migrants face significant barriers when seeking homelessness support.
"I don't think I've ever had someone with refugee status be considered priority need, not once." - Centrepoint Helpline staff member
This data underscores the urgent need for policy reforms to ensure that all young people, regardless of nationality, receive adequate support.
Policy Recommendations to End Youth Homelessness
During the event, Centrepoint reiterated its call for urgent action to address the growing crisis of youth homelessness. Key recommendations included:
- Greater Government Oversight: Strengthening local authority compliance with the Homelessness Reduction Act.
- A Youth-Focused Strategy: A dedicated youth homelessness chapter in the Government’s cross-sector strategy.
- Ring-Fenced Funding: Ensuring consistent financial support for local authorities tackling youth homelessness.
- Stronger Guidance for Local Authorities: Updating the Homelessness Code of Guidance for clearer responsibilities at assessment and intervention stages.
- Increased Affordable Housing: A commitment to building 90,000 social rented homes annually, including 40,000 one-bedroom units for young people at risk.
Looking Ahead
The Parliamentary Launch Event sparked vital conversations about the next steps in tackling youth homelessness. By amplifying young people’s voices and advocating for structural improvements, Centrepoint continues to work towards a future where no young person is left without a safe place to call home.
For those interested in diving deeper into the data, the full report and summary report are now available.
Add your name to make sure no young person is left out
Every year, thousands of young people are left to face homelessness alone without the support they need.
We need as many people as possible to tell the UK Government that no young person should be left out from the support they deserve.