When we visited three youth homelessness schemes recently, we weren’t prepared for how trapped the young people there felt. Many were just 18 or 19 – an age when life should feel full of possibilities. Instead, life feels stagnant and restricted.

They told us how hard it is to plan for the future when the system seems designed to hold them back. Gaining independence without family support, savings, or stability is an uphill struggle.

And the harsh truth is, for many homeless young people in the UK, there’s no clear way out.

The cost of being young and poor in the UK

Most of the young people we spoke to are in supported accommodation, relying on Universal Credit (UC) – the UK’s main benefit for people on low incomes or who are out of work.

But if you’re under 25, the system gives you less. The standard allowance for UC is just £316.98 a month for single people under 25 (compared to £400.14 for those over 25) source: DWP, 2024 rates.

The assumption is that young people can live with their parents. But for those who are homeless – living in hostels, sofa surfing, or estranged from their families – this simply isn’t an option. And yet, the cost of rent, travel, food, and bills is just as high.

A benefits system that punishes ambition

If a young person living in a hostel takes on a part-time job, their benefits are reduced. But the rent in supported accommodation can be hundreds of pounds a week, and wages often aren’t enough to cover it.

It’s a cruel cycle:

Work more → lose benefits → can’t afford rent

Don’t work → stay stuck on benefits with no way out

There’s no incentive to take on more hours, and many are told by advisors to volunteer instead. But volunteering doesn’t pay the bills – and without financial help from family, most young people can’t build savings or move on.

Job centre sanctions and impossible expectations

Many young people also told us about being sanctioned by the Jobcentre – having their benefits stopped or reduced because they missed an appointment. But with poor transport links, last-minute housing moves, and no internet access, it’s easy to see how this happens.

The sanctions system fails to account for the chaos and unpredictability of homelessness. And once a young person is sanctioned, it can take weeks to re-establish payments – leaving them without money for food or travel.

No car, no job, no options

Another often overlooked barrier is transport. Most of the young people we support can’t afford driving lessons, let alone a car. In rural areas especially, this makes it almost impossible to find or keep a job.

Without access to affordable transport, many are effectively locked out of employment and education – no matter how motivated they are.

Grants that break the cycle

At Church Homeless Charity, we believe that every young person should have the opportunity to build a future. Our small but impactful grants help young people take steps towards independence by funding:

• Work and study essentials like laptops, books, and course equipment
• Travel passes and support for job interviews or training
• Clothing for interviews or new jobs
• Help with driving lessons, where appropriate
• One-off relocation costs for those moving into education or employment

With the right support, young people can start to build the lives they want – lives that aren’t defined by the circumstances they were born into.

You can help give young people a future

The system might be broken, but we’re working to build pathways through it. With your support, we can give homeless young people the tools they need to take the next step – whether that’s into education, employment, or stable housing. 

Donate today and become part of their story – and their future.