Prioritise help for homeless young people

While statistics focusing on the most vulnerable in society at one of the hardest times of the year are vital in drawing attention to the issue, this focus unfortunately tends to fade as we enter into the new year with our own reflections and resolutions in mind.

Homelessness is not a seasonal issue. Every day, more than 140 young people aged 16 to 24 in England are accepted as homeless or in need of immediate support, and YMCA provides a home to more than 18,000 people experiencing homelessness each year. It is clear that provision to support homeless young people is inadequate – as we enter into 2020, with a new government in place, the need for action cannot be ignored.

Getting young people off the streets and out of unsafe and unsuitable situations is only the first step in helping them to begin rebuilding their lives. Supported housing provides homeless young people with a bed, as well as helping them gain the essential training, skills and confidence they need to move on to independent living.

However, where do they go once they feel able to move on? The lack of affordable housing for young people, combined with negative experiences of the rental market and unattainable house prices, make it impossible for them to live independently.

YMCA research showed nearly half of young people in supported housing said that not being able to save money was preventing them from moving on, with 40 per cent identifying the cost of a rental deposit as being a principal barrier, and almost three in five worrying about actually being able to find somewhere to live.

For young people to have the best chance of living independently, major barriers such as the cost of rent, deposits and bills must be resolved. In order to do this, the government should establish a national “Help to Rent” scheme targeted at young people looking to move on from supported housing. Through access to financial support with deposits and rental costs, not only would young people be helped into independent living, it would also free up space for others to access homeless provision.

Alongside increasing the number of good standard, genuinely affordable homes, simple policy changes could make a huge difference. Benefits such as local housing allowance, which has been frozen over recent years, should be brought back in line with market rents. Similarly, the shared accommodation rate for under-35s, which caps the amount of housing benefit young people can receive, add to the financial hurdle of moving on.

Only with the addition of these provisions and the removal of these barriers can young people have a true opportunity to live independently and thrive. Addressing homelessness isn’t just an issue for Christmas, it should be central to the government’s agenda all year round.