Family life is rather more complex that it used to be, with the result that parents or relatives are often less willing to house young people.
There are many reasons why young people have to leave their homes – family breakdown, abuse, mortgage or rent problems. Sometimes people are leaving prison or hospital. Then there are the hidden homeless – those who have a roof of sorts, but have to live with a violent relative, or in a mildewed bed-sit.
In places outside the big cities the homeless are less visible – many are known to sleep on a different floor each night, unknown to the Housing Department. They do exist, however, in uncomfortably large numbers.
There is only one reason for homelessness – the lack of suitable, affordable accommodation, especially for the young single homeless.
Local councils are not compelled by law to house single young people. They do have to help those considered “vulnerable” – likely to suffer more hardship than most, such as those under 18, those with medical problems, those who have left the care of the local authority.
Hostel accommodation is limited, and is often not suitable for young people. Most areas have a long waiting list for single accommodation, and are strapped for cash. Often a young, single person simply has nowhere to go.
