大象传媒

For the first time in a decade, homelessness has become a more urgent and visible issue. In England, the numbers of people sleeping rough has risen by 55% since 2010 with roughly 4000 people sleeping rough on any one night. Vulnerable young people are more at risk of homelessness than ever before.

Youth homelessness is often caused by a series of unfortunate events including relationship breakdowns with parents, carers or partners. Other personal problems like substance misuse or mental health issues combined with social factors, such as unemployment and rising housing costs, also make young people more at risk of homelessness. Many young people sofa-surf or sleep on night buses to keep safe and warm, while others turn to the council for housing. However, with these services in high demand, not everyone gets housing support when they need it. The reality of this is that that more and more young people are sleeping rough, putting them at risk of violence and abuse as well as drug or alcohol addiction.

Comic Relief has been working with organisations tackling homelessness in the UK since 1985, funding projects that help young people facing, or experiencing homelessness, to meet their basic and longer-term needs. Projects offer a range of holistic support, helping young people safely stay at home or access emergency and temporary accommodation, supported housing and support in the transition to independent living. They may also provide mental and physical health support, as well as mentoring, training, education, and employment opportunities.

Produced for 大象传媒 Radio 1 & Comic Relief's focus on youth homelessness. Animation by Ginevra Boni, based on an original idea by Nicola Jayne.

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