Homelessness: The big picture
We focus on the individual. Our ultimate goal is to bring an end to youth homelessness within a socially inclusive society.
We always begin with young people themselves, focusing on the person, where they’re starting from, and the transitions they must make to turn things around, build firm foundations for life and realise their full potential. It is important we understand and build on what has been successful, and change what has not worked. In October 2006, Centrepoint commissioned York University to undertake a major review of youth homelessness across the UK, funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. This was the first major study for ten years. The study confirmed that income poverty and worklessness are strongly associated with homelessness, leading to many young people not in education, training or employment.
14 Annual review 2007/08
The research found there were 75,000 young people who experienced homelessness in the UK (2006/07), based on the numbers of young people in contact with services. The full report was published in May 2008. In 2007 the Department for Communities and Local Government commissioned Centrepoint and YMCA England to develop the National Youth Homelessness Scheme. This included a web-based knowledge resource to be used by local authorities and their partners, addressing housing and wider needs of homeless young people or those at risk of becoming homeless. The web resource was publicly launched in May 2008.