Homelessness Among Youth in the UK Dr Sarah Johnsen Centre for Housing Policy

1. Homelessness Among Youth in the UK Dr Sarah Johnsen Centre for Housing Policy University of York, UK

2. “Youth homelessness is widespread and relentlessly growing, but is submerged, unrecorded, and unnoticed.” (Chair, Inquiry into the Prevention of Youth Homelessness, 1996, p.9, emphasis added)

3. Outline • Aims and methods of the Review of Youth Homelessness in the UK • Causes of youth homelessness • Characteristics of young homeless people • Impacts of youth homelessness • Lessons for policy and service provision • assessment and prevention • housing and support • education and employment

4. The Review - 1 • UK-wide study exploring changes during the last ten years in: • scale of youth homelessness • causes and impacts of youth homelessness • effectiveness of policy and service provision • Methods: • review of literature • analysis of statistics and survey data • interviews with 149 young people and 121 agency representatives (across 6 case study areas) • national consultation events

5. The Review - 2 Examined experiences of 16-24 year olds who were: • ‘Statutory’ homeless (owed the main homelessness duty), including: • all 16-17 year olds • those with dependent children • other groups defined as vulnerable and in priority need (e.g. care leavers; at risk of sexual exploitation etc.) • ‘Non-statutory’ homeless (not owed the main homelessness duty): • all other 18-24 year olds (not in priority need)

6. Causes - 1 • Most common ‘trigger’ is relationship breakdown, especially with parents or step-parents re: • friends / company kept • pregnancy • lack of daytime activity / financial dependency • sexuality • young person’s involvement in substance abuse, antisocial behaviour or crime • parent’s abuse / violence, substance misuse, mental health problems etc.

7. Causes - 2 • Violence common in relationship breakdowns • Other common causes of homelessness: • Overcrowding • Eviction • Outstaying welcome

8. Characteristics - 1 • Gender: • Young women more likely to be ‘statutory’ homeless • Young men (18+) more likely to be ‘non-statutory’ homeless • Ethnicity: • Minority groups over-represented in some areas, especially London • Household composition: • Most in single person households, but… • Many have dependent children of their own

9. Characteristics - 2 • Very vulnerable group, especially 16-17 year olds • High levels of: • suspensions / exclusions from school • mental health problems • family disruption • history of running away from home • history of Local Authority care • financial difficulties during childhood • drug and/or alcohol problems • involvement in crime / anti-social behaviour

10. Impacts • Safety issues and risk of violence • Onset or worsening of existing: • mental health problems • drug and/or alcohol problems • Difficulties in studying or working • physical disruption • psychological stress • financial disincentives • Feeling that life is ‘on hold’ • But also… Positive impacts of service interventions • social support • safety • life skills

11. Journeys - 1

12. Journeys - 2

13. Assessment & Prevention • Increasing diversion of young people away from statutory homeless route • Housing Options approach • Family mediation • Principles of prevention welcomed, but some tensions re implementation • Local Authority assessment still experienced as difficult by young people

14. Temporary Accommodation • Range of models, including: • Hostels • Foyers • Bed and breakfast hotels • Supported lodgings • Confusion re whether should be: • Temporary: aiming to move young people on as quickly as possible, or… • Transitional: offering a more stable environment for longer term life skill development • Gaps in emergency accommodation

15. Settled Accommodation - 1 • Lack of settled ‘move-on’ housing: • Social housing (council/Housing Association) – offers security, but: • Limited availability • Possibly constrains long-term mobility • Private rented sector being explored as an option: • Concerns about security of tenure and irresponsible landlords • Poor affordability and the welfare benefit ‘trap’ • Innovative and successful sharing schemes being developed, but some young people resistant

16. Settled Accommodation - 2 • Rent deposit schemes: • Facilitates access to private rented sector housing (where appropriate) • But, young people rarely eligible • Tenancy support (e.g. floating support) effective in reducing tenancy failure. Offer important: • Practical support • Emotional support

17. Key Factors for Successful Outcomes • Wide range of accommodation options • Shared needs assessments and joint protocols • Continuity of support from quality staff • Tailored support to meet needs of different groups / individuals • Flexible support (e.g. floating support), not necessarily tied to ‘bricks and mortar’ • Potential value of earlier intervention and greater focus on supporting the parents of young people

18. Remaining Barriers • Gaps in temporary accommodation • Lack of affordable settled housing • Inadequate provision of treatment for: • ‘low level’ mental health problems • poly-substance misuse • Tensions between employability initiatives and welfare benefit system

19. Conclusion • Significant progress has been made in addressing youth homelessness during the last ten years • But there is still a long way to go… • And many lessons to be learned!

20. Further Details Quilgars, D., Johnsen, S. and Pleace, N. (2008) Youth Homelessness in the UK: A Decade of Progress? York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The full report and a summary of findings may be downloaded from www.jrf.org.uk