Research reports

Young people experiencing homelessness face unique barriers to employment including issues with the benefits system and a lack of local jobs. These barriers can mean that homeless young people are often unable to access employment, resulting in diminished self-confidence and limited resilience.

In supported housing, accommodation is provided alongside support, supervision or care to help people live as independently as possible in the community. Residents of supported housing include, for example, older people, people with disabilities, people fleeing domestic abuse, people with experience of the criminal justice system, people recovering from alcohol or drug addiction.

Through this research we wanted to provide an economic justification for the money spent on supporting homeless young people and show the enormous benefits that can be generated.

As part of a Centrepoint research project looking at how homeless young people access the social security system, Oxera were commissioned to provide a backward-looking assessment of the impact that the social security system has had on young people under the age of 25 (under 25s) between 1988 and 2020. In light of this, Oxera also undertook a forward-looking cost–benefit analysis (CBA) to analyse the impact of six different policy recommendations provided by Centrepoint regarding the social security system in the UK.

The social security system is a vital lifeline for thousands of young people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage across the UK. However, this peer-led research project into the benefits system finds that in many areas, the system is falling short of providing the support and resources that young people need.

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been unprecedented. Since the UK went into its first lockdown in March 2020, the Government has channelled funding of over £700 million to help prevent homelessness and provide emergency accommodation for rough  sleepers as part of the Everyone In scheme.

This report highlights the state of youth homelessness during and beyond the pandemic and is based on a survey of English councils, analysis of Centrepoint’s Helpline data, and interviews with local authority and Centrepoint staff.

This research report explores the growing number of young people sleeping rough during the pandemic and evaluates the support that is available to them.

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.

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.

We explored which elements of Moneywise work well/least well with young people through a process evaluation focusing on engagement, experience and effectiveness.

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