Homeless Link
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Response to reports that Housing Benefit should be cut for under 25’s
In a speech yesterday (25th June) Prime Minister David Cameron questioned whether all young people under the age of 25 should be eligible for Housing Benefit.
In response, Matt Harrison, Interim Chief Executive of the umbrella body for 500 homelessness charities, Homeless Link, said:
“Many young people just don’t have the option of living with their parents. For them Housing Benefit provides a vital safety net, preventing homelessness and giving the breathing space many need to become independent.
According to our research, not only is youth homelessness on the rise but the number one cause for homelessness among the young is relationship breakdowns with family and friends.
“We welcome the recognition that some young people have nowhere to live but we also need to recognise the scale of the problem. If we remove Housing Benefit without a credible alternative, we risk damaging the life chances of thousands of young people and storing up problems for society in the long-run.”
Statistics:
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In 2010/11, over 47,000 people under 25 were receiving support from homelessness and other specialist services where they were likely to be eligible for housing benefit.
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As of March 2012, 385,010 people under 25 were claiming housing benefit
