Join over 100 charities campaigning for an end to youth homelessness

Every year, over 100,000 16–25-year-olds present at their local authority as homeless or at risk of homelessness. Many young people experiencing homelessness remain hidden, not showing up in the data, so this figure could easily be much higher and with the cost-of-living crisis, it’s getting worse.

Things are always changing, but certain truths remain; far too many young people in the UK find themselves unhoused, unsupported and unsafe. We desperately need a plan to tackle this. The government has committed to developing a new strategy to end homelessness, our ask for them is clear, we need a specific #YouthHomelessChapter in that strategy to make sure young people aren’t left out from the support and safety they deserve.

What do we think should be in a #YouthHomelessChapter?

We believe young people should be safe, housed and supported to reach their potential. Not a particularly radical idea but one that feels completely impossible for thousands of young people in the UK.

“I couldn’t have done it alone, being young I was worried about getting screwed over. I was in a vulnerable position but being able to trust I had someone in my corner, meant everything. I was really lonely, and there’s only so much that people in my life could do to help me but with my mentor I really felt like everything could be alright again for me.”

— Kelly, young person supported by Wipers