75,000 young people are at risk of homelessness, a groundbreaking study between Centrepoint, Joseph Rowntree Foundation and York University reveals today.

The study- the first UK-wide review of youth homelessness for a decade- reveals that despite falling numbers of young people being accepted as homeless in the last three years across England and Wales, at least 75,000 remain at risk and are in contact with homelessness services every year. The report reveals that there has been no drop in levels across Scotland or Northern Ireland.

The report considered the success of youth homelessness policy developments throughout the last decade and found that, overall; services considered that policy was moving in the right direction. However, young people felt less positive, citing the challenges they faced in securing appropriate and affordable housing.

The study revealed that, compared to a decade ago, services were more successful and coordinated in their approach to meeting the needs of young homeless people aged between 16 and 17, and those looked after by the local authority. However, it was revealed that young people aged between 18 and 24 are in a comparatively worse position now.

Models of temporary accommodation for young people were well developed, although there remained a lack of suitable emergency accommodation and move-on housing options. Floating support was widely available and appeared successful.

The report also found that homelessness can instigate or compound existing mental health and/or drug misuse problems amongst young people. There is a strong association between homelessness and withdrawing from education, employment or training. Many young people reported feeling that their lives were “on hold” whilst experiencing homelessness.

Caroline Day, Senior Policy and Research Officer at Centrepoint, said:

“This new review provides us with an opportunity to develop a national picture of the nature and extent of youth homelessness today. Having a home is necessary for young people to access services, to take an active part in communities and contribute to wider society. In short, to be homeful not homeless. It is important we understand and build on what has been successful and change what hasn’t worked, focusing our sights on the ultimate goal – that no young person should become homeless.”

Deborah Quilgars, one of the report’s authors, said:

“This review demonstrates that important progress has been made in tackling youth homelessness over the last decade, particularly amongst the younger age group. However, young people still report problems in accessing some services as well as appropriate longer-term accommodation when they can no longer stay with their family or are ready for independent living. The evidence suggests that future policy should build on the preventative agenda, both in terms of earlier interventions and the creation of more affordable housing pathways for young people.”

To view the full report and a report summary, please follow the links:

http://www.jrf.org.uk/knowledge/findings/housing/2221.asp (summary)

http://www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/details.asp?pubID=953 (full report)