Facing homelessness is a scary, lonely and isolating experience that nobody should have to endure. Its devastating cycle can only be broken when we look to the next generation, and see how we can prevent more vulnerable people living in unsafe and unstable conditions.
Homelessness is an issue that can affect anyone, at any age. A recent study carried out by Shelter found that over 100,000 children and young people are facing homelessness in the UK - just another instance of hidden homelessness. Until these numbers can be changed, we’re only going to see more adults struggling to find safe and stable living conditions.
Understanding the cause
The causes of homelessness are as varied as the individuals they affect. Abuse, job loss, eviction and mental health problems are just several causes we see in the people we work with.
However, in younger people, 65% of those facing homelessness are in this situation due to relationship breakdowns.
What counts as “homelessness”?
Although our minds often go straight to the image of a person sleeping rough on the streets, many individuals facing homelessness are living in temporary housing, sofa surfing or living in squats. It’s easy to overlook people who aren’t out on the streets, but this way of living can be just as unsafe, leaving young people vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
At Simon on the Streets, our outreach team works hard to connect with those facing “hidden homelessness”. The individuals we meet are often scared to seek help because of traumatic life experiences, or distrustful of others after having been taken advantage of in the past. Once we’ve established a relationship of trust and confidence, we can help them to work towards a more stable future.
Tackling the cost of living
Until serious action is taken, we’re only going to see more young people struggling to afford to live. The cost of living crisis puts even more people at risk of homelessness, especially individuals with no family support, such as care leavers, and refugees. These young people can easily fall through the cracks and be left with no choice but to live on the streets.
A vicious cycle
Once somebody faces homelessness, it can be incredibly difficult to break free from its cycle. For instance, a person sleeping rough can’t get a job or access healthcare without a fixed address and a bank account. However, without a stable income, they can’t pay rent and afford a safe place to live. And so the cycle continues.
Can you help us to prevent homelessness in the next generation? At Simon on the Streets, we’re about much more than providing temporary solutions for people facing homelessness - we understand the need for change when it comes to supporting the next generation.
We won’t stop fighting for a time when homelessness is taken more seriously. If you’d like to support our work, take a look at our website to see how you can get involved.