Youth homelessness crisis reveals need for independent living support

Many of them find themselves at the sharpest end of the housing crisis: unable to afford even the cheapest rent and lacking the stability needed to pursue a career or complete their education.

A lack of housing supply has been a policy challenge for several years. Successive governments have struggled to get homes built, and housing charities argue that some 90,000 social homes are needed every year in order to address the chronic shortage of affordable housing.

Michelle Donovan, Head of Independent Living at Centrepoint, says the cycle of instability caused by a lack of housing can be disruptive for young people in particular, “It’s such a crucial time for them. It can harm career progression and educational attainment.”

In response, the youth homelessness charity launched its Independent Living Programme. The initiative’s crucial innovation is to cap rent at one-third of a resident’s earnings, and to provide support services focused on ensuring they are ready to maintain employment and housing when they move on.

Michelle says the most important thing is that young people have space to hold down a job “Our homes give them that stability and from there it ends their reliance on benefits and hopefully means they can escape homelessness for good. The idea is we’re giving young people the stability they need to focus on their futures.”

The flat that changed one young woman’s life

A woman who spent the pandemic lockdowns alone in her room in homelessness accommodation is now fulfilling her dream to be a midwife.

Katelin, who became homeless at 17 after years of family arguments, said the isolation gave her time to plan the steps she needed to achieve her goals. “During COVID I thought, where do I see myself if I stay where I am?”

She spent two years in supported housing but – like 1 in 5 young people in similar situations – struggled to move on and start living independently.

Her support worker told her about a scheme run by Centrepoint for working young people who couldn’t afford rent elsewhere, “I got incredibly lucky – the scheme was offered to me and one other person. I wouldn’t be able to say I’m a midwife now if it wasn’t for me living at the independent Living Programme.

We Can’t Do This Alone

Last year, over 118,000 young people faced homelessness. That’s one young person every four minutes. At a time of life when most of their peers are trying new things and taking their first steps into adulthood, these young people found themselves alone and afraid, and unsure where to turn.

It doesn’t have to be like this, with the right support at the right time, these young people can escape homelessness or avoid it altogether.

At Centrepoint, provide more than a bed for the night. We provide a safe place to rebuild, support into education and work, and the confidence to believe in a better future.

Youth homelessness is not inevitable. With the right help at the right time, it can be prevented and it can be ended.

Our mission is to end youth homelessness – and you can help us.

Whether it’s running a marathon or holding a sleep out, you, your friends, family and co-workers can join our movement to end youth homelessness and give vulnerable young people a brighter future.

To find out more, donate or get involved, please visit our website:http://www.centrepoint.org.uk/newspaper

PE Teacher Gains Independence Through Centrepoint

A PE teacher has revealed how living in a Centrepoint Independent Living Programme home has made a “significant difference” to his life, giving him the stability and independence he previously struggled to find.

(Image: Centrepoint)

Londoner Naihum always loved sport and teaching. And, after finishing university, he secured a full-time role as a PE teacher. However, despite his dedication, he faced a common problem for many young people: a lack of affordable housing. Rents in his area were high, and the stress of trying to cover his living costs began to weigh heavily on him.

“I couldn’t find a place I could afford,” he said. “It was really difficult to manage everything on my own.”

Things changed when he heard about Centrepoint’s Independent Living Programme. After applying, he was offered a place in one of their homes where rent is capped at a third of his salary.

“Living here has made a significant difference. I’m able to afford it without having to stress overnight and having to think about where I’m going to get the money from with the job that I’m currently at,” he explained, “I know that other people are in situations where they are finding it hard and their mental health is affected.”

The Independent Living Programme homes are more than just housing; residents are also able to access additional support in acquiring the life skills young people need to sustain tenancies in the future. Naihum has worked with mentors to improve his budgeting and financial management, helping him to understand what he can do to cover essentials like food, transport, and bills.

The stability and support has helped Naihum in other ways too. Over time, he has built a strong sense of community with other young people living in similar situations to him. “It’s great because you’ve got others to reach out to and it just makes it easier,” he said.

Now the charity hopes even more young people like Naihum can be supported thanks to the latest Omaze Million Pound House Draw in the Lake District, which will help fund more of the charity’s Independent Living Programme homes and give young people the chance to move from homelessness into independence.

The partnership could not have come at a more important time. Centrepoint’s chief executive, Seyi Obakin OBE, is hopeful that many dozens more young people will get to benefit from the stability that the charity’s Independent Living Programme affords young residents: “The guaranteed £1 million raised by Omaze will help us expand our services and build more genuinely affordable homes for those ready to move forward. Together, we can help transform young lives and end youth homelessness for good.”