86,000 young people in the UK are homeless or at risk as councils struggle to meet demand says Centrepoint research

The figure is based on 217 Freedom of Information (FOIs) responses from local authorities in England, a robust estimate for the 109 that did not provide this data, and data from the devolved nations. The figure is likely to be a significant underestimate of the total scale of youth homelessness, as it does not include young people who sought help from other networks such as charities, family and friends.

Among the local authorities that provided all the information requested:[1]

• ·         Only a third (33 per cent) of young people who went to their local authority were given a documented assessment
• ·         Just 13 per cent were accepted as statutory homeless, meaning they were owed the right to housing
• ·         58 per cent of young people who asked for help were not recorded as receiving any meaningful support
• ·         A young person’s family refusing to accommodate them was the biggest reason for homelessness among 16 to 24 year olds, accounting for 38 per cent of cases where the reason was reported

Up until now, there has been no requirement for councils to record the support offered to young people not accepted as statutory homeless. Under the Homelessness Reduction Act which came into force on 3 April, councils are now legally obliged to assess anyone eligible who is facing homelessness, and to provide and record more meaningful assistance.

This means councils in England will be obliged to assess as many as 45,000 more 16-24 year olds each year. The full figure for all age groups is likely to be much higher still, and Centrepoint is concerned that councils will struggle to fulfil this new duty without significant additional resources.

While the new Act should in theory ensure that every young person who asks for help receives an assessment, under English law local authorities still only have a duty to house those young people who meet the narrow definition known as ‘priority need’. This includes those who are pregnant or have dependent children; those fleeing violence; and those with a serious mental or physical health condition. With many stretched councils already raiding their reserves to make ends meet, homeless young people who do not meet this criteria still have no guarantee of being housed.

The data also raises worrying questions about what happened to the majority of young people who did not receive an assessment in 2016-17. A young person’s vulnerability is not always obvious, and those who were not assessed could be left at risk of street homelessness or violence and abuse where they are staying.

Tamara became homeless aged 18, at 32 weeks pregnant. Her mum threw her out after pre-natal depression led to a mental health breakdown. Tamara went to the council to ask for help. “I had to wait about six hours. Finally I spoke to the emergency accommodation officer. I was obviously pregnant and I had a letter with my anti-natal depression diagnosis but it didn’t make any difference. She just told me there was nothing she could do, and she didn’t tell me anything about where else I could go for help. She actually advised me to sleep rough for a couple of days and said someone from the council might come and find me if I did that for a few nights in a row.”

Paul Noblet, Head of Public Affairs at Centrepoint said: “These figures lift the lid on the hidden crisis of youth homelessness in the UK. Tens of thousands of young people are asking for help, with many denied proper housing assessments and in some cases their legal right to housing. The Homelessness Reduction Act is a step in the right direction but it is absolutely vital that central government provides adequate funding to allow councils to fulfil their new duties and carry out tens of thousands of additional assessments. 

“If demand for help continues to far outstrip the support councils are able to provide, vulnerable young people will continue being left to face desperate choices, like whether to stay at home and risk violence or take their chances on the streets.

“Centrepoint knows a timely intervention in the lives of homeless young people enables them to achieve their potential in education, training or work. Any young person who is worried about their housing situation should call the Centrepoint helpline for free advice on what support they are entitled to.”

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