Care leavers facing homelessness up by nearly 40% since 2019/2020. CREDIT: Press Association
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The number of care leavers aged 18–24 who face homelessness has increased by 37% over the past five years.
Around 2% are owed help from local authorities, say Government estimates.
The Government has now vowed to ensure that this group “don’t face a cliff edge just when they need support most”, and has pledged to halve the proportion of care leavers under 25 experiencing homelessness by the end of this Parliament.
Homelessness Minister Florence Eshalomi said: “These measures will give care leavers the support and opportunities they need as they move out of care and start their adult lives.”
A report published by the Department for Education in August found that young adults leaving care had a death rate around four times higher than the general population. The results found this was because young care leavers have often been left alone “with no safety net and with catastrophic consequences”. In 2025, there were 112 notified deaths of care leavers.
Government cracking-down on homelessness. CREDIT: Press Association
Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister said: “Supporting young people who have been in care is a vital part of our national mission to end rough sleeping.
“Too many care leavers step into adulthood without a strong support network around them, and homelessness can be one of the tragic consequences.”
Mary Dover, a retired social worker who helped people leaving the care system in Lewisham, told City News that all care leavers are entitled to a Personal Adviser until they are 25.
Reflecting on her own work, she said: “I think one of the biggest barriers is the benefit trap, combined with low wages and zero-hour contracts. This can leave care leavers in a precarious position, making it difficult to manage financially and often resulting in rent arrears and, ultimately, eviction.
“I can only imagine how much this situation has deteriorated with the cost-of-living crisis and the huge increase in utility bills.”
Artwork campaign by homelessness charity St Mungo’s. CREDIT: Press Association
Charities like Centrepoint play a large part in tackling care leaver homelessness.
Chief Executive Seyi Obakin welcomed the new Government plan, saying they are ready to work collaboratively and play their part in supporting young people.
“For us, this means ensuring young people have access to safe, stable, and genuinely affordable housing, alongside the financial, practical, and emotional support they need to sustain a home and build an independent life.”
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Headline18–24-year-olds lose ‘significant levers of support’ when leaving care, Government report finds
Short HeadlineCare leavers lose 'significant levers of support'
StandfirstA new Government strategy aims to provide more support to young care leavers.
The number of care leavers aged 18–24 who face homelessness has increased by 37% over the past five years.
Around 2% are owed help from local authorities, say Government estimates.
The Government has now vowed to ensure that this group “don’t face a cliff edge just when they need support most”, and has pledged to halve the proportion of care leavers under 25 experiencing homelessness by the end of this Parliament.
Homelessness Minister Florence Eshalomi said: “These measures will give care leavers the support and opportunities they need as they move out of care and start their adult lives.”
A report published by the Department for Education in August found that young adults leaving care had a death rate around four times higher than the general population. The results found this was because young care leavers have often been left alone “with no safety net and with catastrophic consequences”. In 2025, there were 112 notified deaths of care leavers.
Government cracking-down on homelessness. CREDIT: Press Association
Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister said: “Supporting young people who have been in care is a vital part of our national mission to end rough sleeping.
“Too many care leavers step into adulthood without a strong support network around them, and homelessness can be one of the tragic consequences.”
Mary Dover, a retired social worker who helped people leaving the care system in Lewisham, told City News that all care leavers are entitled to a Personal Adviser until they are 25.
Reflecting on her own work, she said: “I think one of the biggest barriers is the benefit trap, combined with low wages and zero-hour contracts. This can leave care leavers in a precarious position, making it difficult to manage financially and often resulting in rent arrears and, ultimately, eviction.
“I can only imagine how much this situation has deteriorated with the cost-of-living crisis and the huge increase in utility bills.”
Artwork campaign by homelessness charity St Mungo’s. CREDIT: Press Association
Charities like Centrepoint play a large part in tackling care leaver homelessness.
Chief Executive Seyi Obakin welcomed the new Government plan, saying they are ready to work collaboratively and play their part in supporting young people.
“For us, this means ensuring young people have access to safe, stable, and genuinely affordable housing, alongside the financial, practical, and emotional support they need to sustain a home and build an independent life.”
