An analysis was conducted by the BBC, which revealed that the North East leads the nation, with 15 out of every 1000 young people aged 18 to 24 being granted council assistance due to homelessness. Moreover, a statistic has emerged revealing that an additional 80 individuals who sought help for homelessness were as young as 16 or 17 years old.
The unaffordability of rental accommodation is a significant hurdle, with monthly rents typically hovering around £550. This creates a challenge for those with low incomes and benefits. Young people across the North East are experiencing similar circumstances and are facing issues of finding stable housing and building a life.
In 2022-2023, local councils in the North East conducted assessments on 18,750 individuals who reported being homeless or at risk of homelessness. The Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities indicates that 77% of those needing support were under 45, with half of all eligible applicants falling below 35.
To address the pressing crisis, the government has initiated the Single Homelessness Accommodation program, aiming to provide up to 2,400 homes by March 2025. This program includes housing options specifically for young people at risk of homelessness or rough sleeping, along with funding to bolster crucial support services.
Balbir Kaur Chatrik, the director of policy and communications at the youth homelessness charity Centrepoint, expressed deep concern over the latest figures and called on all political parties to prioritise the issue of homelessness. She emphasised the "devasting impact" of homelessness on young people’s lives, exposing them to exploitation and curbing their ambitions, making it increasingly difficult to escape the cycle of homelessness. Chatrik highlighted the urgency for change, stressing that the situation is unsustainable.
