Why on earth should we give criminals priority access to accommodation?
Fair question, but the primary aim of the Youth Justice Board is to reduce offending by young people. So naturally it must be concerned with anything that can contribute to preventing crime. Homelessness makes it more likely that young offenders will continue in crime; secure and supported housing makes it more likely they will stop.
Tell me more. Research by the Social Exclusion Unit found that having a stable place to live helped reduce offending rates by 20 per cent. Not having a proper home makes it very difficult for young offenders to take part in the various rehabilitation schemes on offer and change their ways. Other government reports into homelessness and rehabilitation of offenders have all agreed with this, but the accommodation needs of vulnerable 16- and 17-year-olds, especially care-leavers, have never been well met by social services or housing departments.
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