Young renters may become homeless for Christmas

New research reveals that the financial aftershock of the global pandemic is set to have a devastating impact on youth homelessness in the UK, with a huge majority (86%) of young renters surveyed believing the pandemic will increase youth homelessness nationwide, as socioeconomic uncertainties continue.

Many young renters are in a precarious financial position – without an income, over two-fifths of those surveyed could only support themselves for two months or less (43%), before they would be unable to pay for basic amenities, including rent. With the end of the Government’s furlough scheme and experts predicting youth unemployment to more than triple to its highest level since the early ‘80s, this could leave many young people homeless by Christmas.

These findings are part of a new national study commissioned by The Body Shop UK to examine the impact of COVID-19 on UK youth homelessness, following evidence the pandemic has intensified many of the challenges already faced by young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Aston spoke to Linda Campbell, UK and Republic of Ireland managing director of The Body Shop and Nick Connolly, managing director of End Youth Homelessness to discuss the research in further detail.