Centrepoint campaigns to influence national and local government policy that affects homeless young people.
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.
Centrepoint’s Youth Homelessness Databank collects local data from across the UK on the scale of youth homelessness. It also provides an insight into the type of interactions young people are having with their local councils and what support is being offered.
We are calling on the Government to support young people facing homelessness with no one to turn to. Universal Credit should be enough to cover food and essentials while they get back on their feet. Our new research, led by a group of young researchers with lived experience of homelessness, proves that Universal Credit in its current form is not enough to support vulnerable young people.
It's time to ask your MP: Will you stand up for homeless young people? Email them with our helpful template here.
We carry out research on the issues affecting homeless young people and develop the policy solutions needed to bring about change.
Explore our library of policy briefings on the key issues that Centrepoint is working to influence.
We regularly respond to consultations and inquiries issued by the Government, local authorities and other organisations.
The stats for homeless young people are shocking. Our research estimates 110,000 young people asked for help from their local council in 2018/19 because they were homeless or at risk.
If you would like to be kept up to date with how we're supporting homeless young people through research, policy and campaigns, enter your email address below.
Sunday 10 October 2021 marks the 11th World Homeless Day, originally established to recognise those working to end homelessness across the world. Since its inception in 2010, the day has represented the need to raise awareness of homelessness, support those who experience it, and fight for their futures.
As recipients of the lowest amount of Universal Credit, young people have been left struggling to make ends meet for decades. When the weekly £20 uplift is removed at the end of this month, many vulnerable young people who live independently from their family will be forced to compromise between food, bills or rent – an impossible choice that will make it even harder for homeless young people to move forward with their lives.
New stats show that, whilst homelessness continues to increase at an alarming rate, the resources available are not sufficient at meeting this current demand. Centrepoint's Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Paul Noblet, asserts that the government need to do more for the UK's rough sleepers.