What is Youth Homelessness?

When people think of homelessness, they usually think of people sleeping on the streets, but that is just the tip of the iceberg.

Young people are often homeless because it is not safe for them to stay at home, or because family life has become too hard. They are often sleeping on sofas, on floors, in cars or, worse still, with strangers.

Many of these young people have experienced traumas in their childhoods and have developed a range of complex needs. Research shows that homeless young people are three times as likely to have a mental health issue as their non-homeless peers. Around a quarter of homeless young people have been in care, and often have little choice but to deal with the challenges of living independently at a young age.