A new report Young & Homeless 2012 has been recently published and its findings provide a strong case as to why Government should not go ahead with any plans to cut housing benefit for those under the age of 25.

The study from Homeless Link found that at a time of rising homelessness among under-25, Government welfare reforms are restricting the ability of communities to house all those who need help and potentially adding to a rise in homelessness.

Welfare payment changes include the extension of the shared accommodation rate (SAR) to under 35 year olds, which has increased the number of people competing for shared accommodation, previously prioritised for under 25 year olds.

The survey of 117 homeless charities and 101 local authority housing services found that, due to these changes:

65% of local authorities report a negative impact on the ability of young people to access private rented accommodation due to the extension of SAR

Almost half of local authorities report that capping housing allowance for young people has had a similar impact.

Less than 1 in 3 local authorities have developed schemes with landlords to respond to the changes.

60% of providers reported a decrease in the availability of private accommodation to move young people onto.

Rick Henderson, Chief Executive for Homeless Link, the umbrella body for homelessness charities, said: “These findings highlight the impact that capping welfare for young people is already having on their ability to find housing. Homelessness among the under-25s is increasing in many areas while unemployment, rising rents and cuts to homelessness and youth services are leaving many with nowhere to turn.

“Cutting housing benefit would do nothing to help these young people with no safe place to go because they have faced abuse at home or their family has fallen apart .Nor will it help those who have to claim housing benefit because they are in low paid jobs and face high rents.

“What we need now is services that prevent homelessness, such as safe emergency accommodation, and local authorities, providers and landlords working together to increase access to private rented accommodation. These young people are this country’s future and it’s time we began investing in them.”