New statistics just released show a 12% increase in the number of people sleeping rough in London compared to the same period last year and a 6% rise in the number of 18-25 year olds: Rough sleeping in London (CHAIN reports) – London Datastore

Depaul UK’s Interim CEO Alexia Murphy has called upon the public to support the charity’s urgent winter appeal as she responded to new statistics showing a 12% increase in the number of people sleeping rough in London compared to the same period last year and a 6% rise in the number of 18-25 year olds:

“It is unacceptable for anyone to have to sleep rough. It is especially shocking that this winter there are thousands of young people in London and across the UK with no safe place to live or regular bed to sleep in.

“Many have been through family breakdown and violence but don’t know that help is available. Others have nowhere to go because of soaring rents and unaffordable bills. Statistics from Depaul UK’s emergency accommodation service, Nightstop, show a 30 increase in referrals.

“Young people who are homeless are sometimes seen sleeping rough on the streets. For many more, however, homelessness is hidden, and so are the dangers.

“Please donate to our urgent winter appeal to help Depaul UK prevent young people from ending up on the streets in the first place, as well support our work to provide a safe route off the streets for those who do.

“We need support from the public, but we are also calling on all levels of government to do more and build on the good work that has already been done to ensure no one sleeps rough.”

This story is to raise awareness of the new emergency appeal Depaul launched last week to support the alarming numbers of young people sleeping rough. Youth are being forced to sleep in their cars, and at bus shelters as demand for referrals for emergency accommodation increases by 30 per cent this year alone, according to Depaul UK. It’s estimated that around 129,000 16–25-year-olds are homeless* or at risk of homelessness but Depaul UK warn that the figures could be significantly higher as homelessness is often hidden.

The charity said that the combined impact of increased debt, spiralling bills, and low incomes can lead to conflict in households, which exacerbates family and relationship breakdowns, which is one of the key causes behind the increase of young people becoming vulnerable to homelessness.

Thanks to the charities ‘Nightstop’ team, there is a lifeline that young homeless people in crisis can use – but funding for the service is being stretched to beyond its limit and needs urgent support to keep the service running.

Nicola Harwood, Executive Director of Operations from Depaul UK said: “We know that many young people who have nowhere to go, often because of family conflict, may accept an offer to stay with someone they’ve just met, or they’ll ride buses throughout the night, seek out 24-hour bars, only to find themselves among much older and sometimes predatory people.

“Nightstop provides safe emergency accommodation and offers a lifeline to many young homeless people in crisis. We help those sleeping on the streets tonight and ensure that others who have run out of options, never have to sleep in unsafe places. It’s vital that young people know that they’re not alone, that this is temporary, and that they have their whole lives ahead of them.”