Ministers consider incentive scheme to reduce youth homelessness

Details of fresh plans to combat youth homelessness emerged during a meeting between government officials and representatives of organisations in the children and young people’s sector, including Barnardo’s, the Princes Trust and Rathbone.

Minutes from the meeting reveal the group heard that "the government realises that there is an issue [regarding] homelessness among young people, and is already taking steps to address this".

The document states that homelessness advisers have started speaking to local authorities about how to make best use of an additional £20m of government funding, announced in December, to help them address homelessness for single people.

Early work on a payment-by-results scheme to improve outcomes is also underway.

"Options are currently being considered for a possible PBR [payment-by-results] related scheme on transitional housing as a key factor in some cases, affecting whether an individual becomes a net drain or contributor to the public purse," the document states.

However, it adds that funding for the scheme has yet to be identified.

Those present at the meeting were also told that a second report from the ministerial working group on preventing and tackling homelessness, which includes children’s minister Tim Loughton as a member, is expected shortly, and will include consideration of youth homelessness.

"The ambition is that young people have a smooth transition to independence, and that it doesn’t take crisis to unlock progression routes," the meeting was told.

In December, research published by Homeless Link, the umbrella body for homeless charities, estimated that 16,000 young people were supported by homeless charities in October and November 2011.

It also found that 13,000 young people presented themselves as homeless or sought advice on housing from local authorities in October 2011, the equivalent of 400 a day across Britain.