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.’

Selling the family silver image

Selling the family silver

Ryan Swift, research fellow at IPPR North, urges the next Government to stop the mass sell off of council assets.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Worker - 12 month Fixed Term Contract

Essex County Council
£30931 - £35362 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Defined Benefit Pension
Family WorkerFixed Term, Full Time£30,931 to £35,362 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Assistant Director - Customer Engagement

Gedling Borough Council
Up to £59,097 per annum
We have big plans at Gedling Borough Council and we’re looking for exceptional individuals who can help us deliver them! Gedling, Nottingham
Recuriter: Gedling Borough Council

Assistant Director - Digital, Data & Technology

Gedling Borough Council
Up to £67,881 per annum
We have big plans at Gedling Borough Council and we’re looking for exceptional individuals who can help us deliver them! Gedling, Nottingham
Recuriter: Gedling Borough Council

Assistant Director - Finance

Gedling Borough Council
Up to £71,275 per annum (includes 5% enhancement as Deputy S151 Officer)
We have big plans at Gedling Borough Council and we’re looking for exceptional individuals who can help us deliver them! Gedling, Nottingham
Recuriter: Gedling Borough Council

Director of Place

Gedling Borough Council
Up to £89,631 per annum
We have big plans at Gedling Borough Council and we’re looking for exceptional individuals who can help us deliver them! Gedling, Nottingham
Recuriter: Gedling Borough Council
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.