At akt, we see every day the barriers young people face when searching for safety and stability, and while lasting change will take time, there are encouraging signs that progress is possible.
akt’s new five year strategy is called Home + Hope and it was great to hear so much of both in the soon-to-be Prime Minister’s speech on Monday.
We know how hard it is across the country to find safe and stable places to live for young people kicked out of their homes simply for being who they are. Building a lot more homes won’t solve that problem for the young people akt is supporting today but it is absolutely vital for the longer term so young people have an opportunity to thrive into adulthood and not just survive.
A Housing First ‘philosophy’ and devolution of much more decision-making power to local authorities should also help young people in crisis – but only if local housing teams recognise and respond to the often unique needs of young LGBTQ+ people who have nowhere else to go. This change is essential given that half of the young people who find their way to akt tell us that they’ve previously experienced reporting poor experiences elsewhere.
So there is a lot to be hopeful about. We might actually be able to end youth homelessness for those young people still forced to choose between a safe home and being who they are.