New research on youth homelessness in the capital “paints a grim picture”, London Councils has said.
The study, led by youth homelessness charity Depaul UK with support from London Councils and published for World Homeless Day (10 October), is based on a census of young people sleeping rough in several London boroughs.
The research found that more young people could be sleeping rough than official statistics suggest. More than a quarter of those surveyed (28%) had slept rough in London but were not recorded in official data.
It also established that the most common type of housing young people had left before becoming homeless was asylum accommodation.
Cllr Grace Williams, London Councils’ Executive Member for Housing & Regeneration, said:
“This research paints a grim picture of life on the streets for far too many young people in London.
“It’s vital that homelessness support reflects all Londoners’ needs. Young people experiencing homelessness face particular challenges, and boroughs can use this data and insight to shape their strategies and the services they offer.
“With so many of these young people previously being in asylum accommodation before becoming homeless, it is clear this remains a significant challenge for reducing rough sleeping in the capital. Boroughs will continue working with the Mayor of London and the government to tackle this issue and prevent rough sleeping from occurring in the first place.”
