No change in overall or youth homelessness figures

Denise Hatton, Chief Executive, YMCA England & Wales said:

“Today’s homelessness figures show little change in overall homelessness or youth homelessness, but stagnation should not be mistaken for progress. Behind these numbers are thousands of individuals and families facing the same entrenched pressures as last year — from insecure private renting, to family or friends unable to accommodate, to rising use of temporary accommodation. A plateau does not mean the crisis has eased; it simply means it has not improved. 

At YMCA, we provide housing to 20,000 young people each year, and every day we see the harsh realities of those who are navigating mental health challenges, unstable housing, and limited pathways into secure accommodation. Youth homelessness remains persistently high, and without targeted interventions, the risks facing young people will only deepen, particularly as successful relief outcomes continue to decline for those already homeless. 

We urge the Government and Ministers to act with urgency, as the release of the national homelessness strategy is already overdue, and to ensure it embeds a clear, youth-specific chapter at its core. Every young person deserves the stability of a safe home and the opportunity to thrive, and we cannot afford to lose momentum when progress is within reach. 

We stand ready to work with Ministers to ensure the strategy delivers meaningful change. No young person should face homelessness, and we cannot afford another year of stagnation.” 

Read more here where YMCA is featured in the Big Issue.