We focus on areas of policy including housing, family and health. We also campaign to ensure homeless young people are getting the right support when it comes to their benefits and personal finance, education, skills and employment opportunities.
Policy and research
Centrepoint campaigns to influence national and local government policy that affects homeless young people.
The scale of youth homelessness across the UK
We collect local data from across the UK on the scale of youth homelessness. This research provides an insight into the type of interactions young people are having with their local councils and what support is being offered.
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42 %42% have issues with their mental health
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14 %14% are refugees
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28 %28% have been living in care
Find out about our policy work on our blog
A Wheel of Misfortune: our campaign to make work pay for young people in supported housing
Centrepoint rolled out a ‘Wheel of Misfortune’ on Parliament Square to demonstrate the barriers young people in supported housing face while trying to escape homelessness and start work.
Supported Housing is in crisis – we're calling on the government to fix it
Supported housing – such as what Centrepoint provides – gives thousands of vulnerable people the chance to build the skills they need to live independently and escape homelessness for good. However, it’s increasingly under threat.
Young people turned away - councils faced shortfall of at least £400 million
Councils in England faced a shortfall of £400 million in 2023-2024 forcing many of them to turn away young people facing homelessness without the assessment they are legally entitled to.
Email your MP
Youth homelessness is continuing to climb. We are calling on the Government to commit to a proper strategy to tackle youth homelessness, by supporting the recommendations from our Databank report.
Research reports and policy briefings
Explore our reports and briefings on the key issues affecting homeless young people and that ways in which Centrepoint is working to bring about change.
Making work pay in supported accommodation
Supported housing is designed to help people build the skills and confidence needed to live independently, with a key focus on improving their employment prospects. By offering stability and tailored support, it provides a crucial stepping…
No young person left out: Estimating the local authority funding needs to support young people experiencing homelessness
Under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, everyone in England approaching their local authority for help because they are homeless or at risk of homelessness is entitled to an assessment. Unfortunately, Centrepoint’s Databank research has…
Waiting for the next blow-up: Family breakdown and youth homelessness
Family breakdown is the main cause of youth homelessness. Our research shows that while conflict happens in all families and is triggered by similar topics, it is far more likely to escalate in households that are already facing multiple…