CENTREPOINT, supported by The Co-operative Bank, has called for Government action over youth homelessness.

Research showed there is a brewing crisis of young people being left with no safe place to stay if they lost their source of income.

In Yorkshire & Humberside, 28 per cent of people aged 16-24 are worried about the insecurity of their own living situation if they or someone in their household lost their income.

In light of these findings, Centrepoint is calling for the following measures to be introduced:

  • A £1 billion programme of long-term investment in homelessness services and support
  • Maintaining a higher Universal Credit standard allowance for under-25s living independently without family support
  • Ensuring homeless young people can access adequate financial support for housing costs and ensure work pays for homeless young people in supported accommodation.

The charity said, for those in work, reintroducing a work allowance within Universal Credit and increasing the applicable amount within Housing Benefit for young people in supported accommodation will also ensure work pays.

Seyi Obakin, Chief Executive, Centrepoint, comments: “This research highlights once again the difficulties faced by young people, amid rising unemployment and increases in rough sleeping.

“The government has created schemes to help retrain young people and help them to find work but it’s vital that these solutions work for all young people, including those we support in our services. With an uncertain winter and Christmas period approaching there has never been a more important time for Centrepoint to be fighting to give young people a vibrant future.”

Darrell Evans, Managing Director, Retail Banking, The Co-operative Bank, comments: “Youth homelessness is an issue that is sadly not going away without a significant level of co-ordinated action, and as a long-term partner of Centrepoint, we will continue to support the charity in achieving its objective of eradicating youth homelessness. We are proud to have sponsored Centrepoint’s recent STAY:UP event, and are pleased that the Bank has raised over £50,000 in its support of the initiative.

“Since we began our partnership with Centrepoint, the Bank has raised a total of £1.6 million in support of its aims. As we face further months of uncertainty, with the prospect of increased hardship for many people, it is important that additional measures are put in place as soon as possible which effectively address the causes of homelessness.”

If you are aged 16-25 and at risk, call Centrepoint for free on 0808 800 0661.