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.
If you’re in England and aged 16 to 25, talk to the Helpline at Centrepoint to get advice on your housing situation and rights.
Earlier this month our patron, The Prince of Wales, officially opened our new housing development in Peckham, South London, providing 33 new flats for young people between 18-25.
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.
A tour of a typical Centrepoint room
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.
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).
Specialist lender, Together, are working with Centrepoint to fund our innovative Independent Living Programme.
The Homewards initiative will test ideas and models to end homelessness in six locations across the UK, supported by our Patron, Prince William.
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.
