Young people shut out by high rents and benefit cuts

More young people are at risk of homelessness due to high rents, low benefits, and lack of decent housing, says the national single homelessness charity Crisis.

As Crisis at Christmas centres open today (Monday 23 December), the charity launches Shut Out, a new campaign calling for more to be done to stop young people becoming homeless.

The numbers of young people sleeping rough in London has more than doubled in three years and new research shows eight per cent of 16-24 year olds report recently being homeless¹.

“We have a whole generation being shut out,” says Leslie Morphy, Crisis Chief Executive, “with almost a million young people unemployed, low wages and deep benefit cuts, this age group is at particular risk of homelessness.

“Many cannot even find a room to rent. We must stop young lives being devastated by homelessness by changing the way housing benefit is calculated for young people so they can actually afford a home.”

The Shut Out campaign² launches as Crisis opens its doors to an expected 4,000 homeless and vulnerable people across London, Edinburgh and Newcastle over Christmas.

The charity’s centres are run by an army of 9,000 volunteers who give up their time to offer companionship, food and vital services during the holiday period.

As well as ten centres across the capital, Crisis volunteers will be welcoming guests to their centre in Newcastle on Christmas Day and Boxing Day and in Edinburgh the charity is hosting a special day of activities on Christmas Day.

Morphy continues: “Crisis at Christmas is bigger than ever this year, which is a sad indictment of the growing homelessness problem across the UK, but it’s also thanks to the huge generosity and compassion of the thousands of individuals, organisations and companies who give time, funds and goods to make Christmas happen for some of society’s most vulnerable people.”

Ends.

For media information, to arrange interviews or to  contact the Crisis press office on 020 7426 3880 or email media@crisis.org.uk

Editors’ Notes

1. Homelessness Monitor

State-of-the nation report The Homelessness Monitor: England – an independent study published annually by Crisis and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) found young people bearing the brunt of economic and policy changes.

In the last three years the number of young people sleeping on London’s streets has more than doubled and new figures show 8% of 16-24 year olds report recently being homeless.

See full report here: www.crisis.org.uk/homelessnessmonitor

2. Shut out campaign (now concluded)

Crisis wants a change in the way housing benefit is calculated for young people. 

Under 35s are only entitled to a room in a shared house, but the way this benefit is worked out means that few places are affordable.

Unable to find a room to rent, people are left to sleep where they can – on the floors of friends or family or, at worst, on the streets. In the last three years the number of young people sleeping rough in London has more than doubled.

3. Crisis at Christmas

Crisis at Christmas is a vital lifeline for thousands of homeless people. We offer support and companionship during the holiday period and help people to take their first steps out of homelessness.

Crisis at Christmas is made possible through the generosity of thousands of individuals and companies who donate money, time, skills, goods and services.

Crisis at Christmas not only provides immediate help for homeless people at a critical time, but it sets them up for a more positive year ahead.

Guests receive healthcare and specialist advice on housing, work and benefits. We encourage guests to take up the life changing opportunities on offer at our Crisis Skylight centres in the New Year ahead.