Holly Udobang is packing a bag with essentials like a sleeping mat, gloves, and a waterproof poncho. This is not for an outdoor adventure but for young people experiencing homelessness in London. While such items are normally associated with trips like the Duke of Edinburgh Award, Holly and her team at the New Horizon Youth Centre are distributing them daily due to a lack of emergency accommodations. The centre has already given out 199 other similar bags, weeks earlier than expected.
The number of rough sleepers, especially those under 35, has increased significantly in London, according to Chain, a homelessness information network. Charities across the country, like Roundabout in Sheffield, face similar challenges, with Roundabout running out of space for the first time last year and turning to hotels for accommodation. Depaul UK in Manchester noted a significant rise in the number of young people sleeping rough.
New Horizon operates a drop-in centre in King’s Cross, offering various support services to homeless young adults, including help with finding housing and employment, along with basic needs like food and showers. The need for support has grown due to a decrease in “supported exempt accommodation” options, which cater to individuals with special needs. The charity manages to place some individuals in hotels, but the costs have spiralled, highlighting the challenges faced in supporting homeless youth. Young people face multiple discriminations when seeking housing, including reduced benefits and a lack of affordable private rents.
Parliament has acknowledged the severity of the situation, with MPs warning of a rough sleeping emergency in England, calling it a “source of national shame.” Angela Rayner is leading efforts to tackle homelessness, having allocated nearly £1 billion for this cause, indicating a determination to address the issue.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/feb/23/a-source-of-national-shame-shelters-in-england-turn-young-people-away-as-number-of-rough-sleepers-soar
