Research reports

Coronavirus has been an unprecedented challenge for charities working to support homeless people. Since MHCLG issued the ‘Everybody In’ directive at the end of March, approximately 5,400 rough sleepers have been placed in emergency accommodation.1 The instruction was clear - ‘focus on people who are, or are at risk of, sleeping rough, and those who are in accommodation where it is difficult to self-isolate, such as shelters and assessment Centres.

The Centrepoint Youth Homelessness Databank significantly increases the information that is publicly accessible on youth homelessness by collecting council level data to build a more informed national understanding of the problem. This report presents an analysis of data collected by local authorities in 2018/19, which was the first year of the Homelessness Reduction Act (HRA).

Universal Credit should provide a safety net for everyone. Yet the UC system unfairly assumes that all under-25s can rely on family for financial support. This is not the case for many young people living independently who cannot live safely at home, particularly those who have been in care or experienced homelessness.

Under current welfare rules, thousands of vulnerable young people are at risk of homelessness, as they cannot afford to cover the cost of renting in the private rental sector. The amount of financial support someone in receipt of benefits can claim for their rent is calculated according to the Local Housing Allowance (LHA). The LHA is based on average rents in an area, and includes different rates depending on the size of the property that the claimant is thought to need. Most people under the age of 35 are only eligible for the lowest rate of LHA, the Shared Accommodation Rate. This is based on the cost of renting a room in a shared house.

This research explores the experiences of some of the most vulnerable young people. The causes of youth homelessness are many and complex, though the main driver is family breakdown. The young people in this research described their own, often complex, experiences such as close family bereavements or family breakdown that resulted in them having to leave home. Some also described the impact of mental health problems, substance misuse issues, and criminal activity. Homelessness resulted in disruption to employment or education while they sought a stable housing situation and support for personal issues.

For the past five decades Centrepoint has supported homeless young people to turn their lives around. In 2019, no young person should find themselves homeless yet we are supporting more young people than ever through our accommodation services and national Helpline.

This research is the first longitudinal evaluation of the Youth Obligation to be published. It reflects the experiences of disadvantaged young people; those with the most complex needs who are furthest from the job market. The Youth Obligation is not working effectively for this group.

Young people experiencing homelessness, who are among society’s most vulnerable and isolated groups, face significant risks from criminal exploitation and serious youth violence. There is overlap between many of the factors understood to drive both youth violence and youth homelessness, such as poverty and exclusion, family breakdown, experiences leaving care and other state institutions, and difficulties with mental health and trauma. Homelessness can also increase young people’s exposure to violence and exploitation, whether in hostels, sofa surfing and in insecure accommodation, or sleeping rough.

The solutions identified in this report span a wide range of themes. These are presented as recommendations for both local and national government alongside examples of good practice.

Young people, aged 18 to 21, who claim Universal Credit will be required, from April 2017, to participate in an intensive regime of support from day one of their benefit claim. After six months they should be offered an apprenticeship or traineeship, gain work-based skills, or undertake a work placement to give them the skills they need to move into sustainable employment.

Unemployment is particularly common among disadvantaged groups, including those who have experienced or are at risk of homelessness.

Our research looks at the key reasons why relationships breakdown and the kinds of pressures faced by families.