Charities are warning that there has been a significant increase in the number of homeless youth in the UK following Christmas.
The London-based organization New Horizon Youth Centre reported a significant rise in the number of requests for assistance from young individuals during the first week of January. Similarly, the charity Akt, which assists homeless LGBTQ+ youth, received a higher number of referrals than usual for the month. Roundabout in Sheffield and YMCA Trinity, operating in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk, also noted an increase in activity.
A group of 120 organizations have united with the hashtag #PlanForThe136k, representing the approximate number of homeless youth in 2023. Their goal is to urge the government to develop a nationwide plan to eradicate youth homelessness. They are seeking support for a parliamentary petition that will compel a response from government officials.
In 2022-23, a study conducted by Centrepoint revealed that approximately 135,800 youth had sought assistance from their local government due to homelessness. Shelter also reported last month that they anticipated an additional 40,000 individuals of all ages to experience homelessness during the Christmas season. However, there is concern about the increasing number of homeless individuals since then.
Phil Kerry, the chief executive of the New Horizon centre, stated that they have observed a rapid increase in numbers. The centre, which provides open access for homeless individuals under 25 in London, saw 142 people last week, a significant increase from the average weekly number of 63.
“I was shocked to see 76 young individuals seeking assistance when we reopened on January 4th,” Kerry shared. “One person was even waiting on our doorstep in a wet sleeping bag. The demand for help has never been this overwhelming and our resources have never been more limited.”
According to him, young individuals who experience homelessness typically have limited resources due to their lower minimum wage and reduced benefit payments for those under 23 and 25 respectively.
Hayley Speed, from Akt, reported that the organization has experienced a significant increase in requests for their specialized services for homeless LGBTQ+ youth.
She stated that our London referrals have received an unusually high number of requests in the first week of January, surpassing our typical monthly average. In fact, it’s twice as much as our average for a single week.
According to CEO Ben Keegan, the Roundabout centre in Sheffield, South Yorkshire experienced its highest levels of activity.
Keegan stated that they have acquired previous student housing in order to assist with the continuously increasing demand from young individuals facing urgent housing challenges in our area. This increase is in addition to a 21% rise in the amount of homeless young people in the previous year, reaching a total of 1,876.
YMCA Trinity provides assistance to youth in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. According to Jon Martin, the organization’s CEO, there is a growing need for our youth housing services in our region. This can be attributed to young individuals exiting the foster care system or experiencing homelessness due to family issues or difficult living situations. Additionally, the lack of affordable housing options, particularly for those just starting out, has also contributed to this demand.
“We are seeing a rise in clients with more intricate demands, such as mental health concerns, adverse childhood experiences, and trauma.”
Kate Polson, the head of the Scottish organization Rock Trust that focuses on youth homelessness, stated that young individuals face a double disadvantage due to their increased likelihood of being employed in unstable and low-paying jobs. Additionally, they often lack savings and references, highlighting the need for action to end youth homelessness.
Source: theguardian.com
