Housing Crisis around the Corner for Care Leavers, Experts Warn

An increasing shortage of supported housing, coupled with wider reductions to welfare support, is restricting the supply of suitable accommodation for care leavers, housing experts have warned. Only 17 authorities are housing 100 per cent of their care leavers in suitable accommodation. According to the latest government statistics, only 17 local authorities are housing 100 per cent of their care leavers in suitable accommodation. But Sarah Davis, senior policy and practice officer at the Chartered Institute of Housing, warned the situation is set to worsen. She said supported housing places are being eroded, since the Supporting People grant, which funded provision, has been absorbed into wider council funding and cut 12 per cent a year until 2014. She argued that more young care leavers are likely to face unsuitable accommodation, which could lead to increased public spending on health, youth justice and welfare down the line. Read more on the Children and Young People Now website.