Today the government has published its new Action Plan to reduce homelessness for care-experienced young people. The plan declares that no young person should become homeless when they leave care. It also gives clear new duties to local authorities to prevent that from happening.
We welcome the new plan. For too long, care experienced young people have faced disproportionately high risks of homelessness, often at a time when they are navigating the challenges of adulthood without the support networks many of their peers rely on. Every year Coram Voice provides support to care leavers across the country, and housing is the most common issue they face.
The commitments announced today are important steps in the right direction. We particularly welcome the government’s recognition that no young person should become homeless as a result of leaving care.
Ambitious national targets will only be achieved if they are backed by sufficient investment, consistent implementation across local areas, access to suitable and affordable housing, and meaningful support that helps young people sustain tenancies and thrive. It will be particularly important to strengthen support at key transition points and moments of vulnerability, such as when young people move home, leave education or training, or experience a breakdown in living arrangements. Every care-experienced young person must have not just a roof over their head, but a safe, stable and supportive home.
- Read The Door Is Still Closed our report on why 16- and 17-year-old homeless children often miss out on support they are entitled to
- Coram Voice Advocacy Service runs a homelessness outreach project for young people.
- Coram’s Voices in Action youth homelessness programme empowers young people with lived experienced of homelessness or housing insecurity to influence change.