Young people experiencing homelessness feel ‘dismissed and ignored’ when they approach local authorities for help, research has found.
A London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) report found that young people face several barriers to support, including a lack of clarity from the local authority about what it can offer; not knowing how to access help; having to repeat their story multiple times; and unrealistic evidence requirements.
Young people also said accommodation provision was often not gender- or age-appropriate, and reported ‘significant’ challenges navigating adult services when they turned 18.
Local authority housing leads said they were working in a ‘hugely challenging’ environment, amid increased demand, stretched budgets and a lack of suitable housing.
A policy officer at LSE housing and communities, Laura Lane, said: ‘This report is timely and shows the value to young homeless people of receiving appropriate support and feeling that people are “on their side”.
‘We hope that it supports increased engagement and collaboration between local authorities and charities in order to tackle the increasing challenges of youth homelessness.’
