William Eichler 01 June 2018

Benefit cuts forcing young people into homelessness, charity says

Welfare restrictions are forcing young people into homelessness despite recent Government reforms, charity says.

A survey by the homelessness charity Centrepoint found that local authorities supported the principles underpinning Whitehall’s flagship Homelessness Reduction Act.

However, it also revealed that welfare restrictions were preventing many young people from being able to rent in the private sector.

The charity surveyed 119 English local authorities to examine the challenges they face in delivering their housing duties.

Nearly all of the respondents (99%) cited the restriction in local housing allowance for young people as an obstacle to finding them accommodation.

A large majority (85%) also said they struggled to deliver their housing duties because of welfare reforms aimed at young people.

The lack of available housing was also a barrier to tackling homelessness, Centrepoint found.

Just over 80% of the respondents think the lack of suitable housing stock, such as social housing, is a barrier to their ability to deliver housing duties to young people.

A majority (68%) think the lack of supported accommodation such as specialist hostels is a barrier.

The number of young people aged 25 and under sleeping rough in England increased by almost a third between 2016 and 2017.

‘Any young person who is threatened with homelessness is in an incredibly difficult situation,’ Seyi Obakin, chief executive at Centrepoint.

‘They may have experienced trauma and abuse, and may not have the financial or moral support of their family, so it’s essential they can find a secure and stable place to call home.

‘Vulnerable young people and the local authorities tasked with supporting them under the Homelessness Reduction Act must be able to secure accommodation if the Act is to be a success.

‘As the supply of supported accommodation and social housing dwindles, Centrepoint is calling on the government to give all young people who are threatened with homelessness access to a higher rate of housing allowance so at the very least they are in a position to rent privately.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Residential Worker

Essex County Council
£27934.00 - £35344.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Residential WorkerPermanent, Full Time£27,934 up to £35,344 Per Annum (includes allowance) equal to £14.48 to £18.32 Per HourLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Early Years Keyworker

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£37,068 - £38,058
Want to make a difference for children with special educational needs in Greenwich? Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Early Years Area SENCo

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£39,855 - £42,324
Have you got extensive experience in working within Early Years, with a clear understanding of child development Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Young Persons Substance Misuse Service Pathfinder

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£31,524 - £32,931
Are you looking to change the lives of young people? Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Senior Regulatory Compliance Officer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£37,068 - £38,058
You will be an apprentice embedded within the Trading Standards team. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich
Linkedin Banner