From care to where? Care leavers’ access to accommodation
A report based on the accounts of young people who have left the care system and have navigated their way through the complex systems and processes to find a place to call home.
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‘Have you got anybody you can stay with?’ - Housing options for young adults leaving custody
A study which aims to provide a snapshot of the barriers that young people face when they are seeking safe and stable housing on release from custody. Considering these barriers alongside the wider policy context, we wanted to provide a renewed focus on this critical challenge and explore how we could collectively work together to provide practical solutions.
The Homelessness Reduction Act: Will it work for young people?
With the introduction of the Homelessness Reduction Act, local housing authorities face more responsibility to support those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness than ever before. The need for additional support is high. Centrepoint estimates that in 2016/17, 66,500 young people approached their local authority for help because they were homeless or at risk of homelessness in England alone.Only 33 per cent of these young people were recorded as receiving a documented assessment.
Making homeless young people count: The scale of youth homelessness in the UK
This report centres on findings from Centrepoint’s analysis of data collected for the 2017/18 Youth Homelessness Databank. It updates findings from previous years, including Centrepoint’s estimate of the national scale of youth homelessness. Where possible, comparisons are made between 2016/17 and 2017/18 findings to understand youth homelessness over the past two years. The research also focuses mainly on findings in England; however data from the devolved nations is included where possible.
What does a good professional relationship look like for homeless young people?
This report brings together the voices of members of staff and young people to evaluate what a positive professional looks like for young people. The report offers some ideas for others to take forward in order to build and maintain positive professional relationships with young people, in order to ensure young people engage with and get the best support possible
The Youth Obligation in Universal Credit briefing
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.
Manifesto for homeless young people: London mayoral elections 2020
Centrepoint is calling on London Mayoral candidates to commit to taking urgent action on youth homelessness.
Exempting homeless young people and care leavers from the Shared Accommodation Rate
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.
Chance to Move On: make Universal Credit fair for young people living independently
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.
Coronavirus & homelessness accommodation briefing
The COVID-19 pandemic poses unprecedented risks to all, but those experiencing or at risk of homelessness are especially vulnerable. Charities like Centrepoint, Depaul UK, St Mungo’s and Homeless Link which provide accommodation for people who are homeless are determined to do everything it takes to maintain the high level of service we deliver all year round, yet the sector needs vital support from the government to do this.