Young people leaving care in England are experiencing a significantly faster rise in homelessness than the general population, according to new figures that highlight deepening vulnerabilities among 18- to 20-year-olds. The data comes amid long-standing warnings of a “devastating care cliff”, where government support drops sharply once young people turn 18 and leave the care system. Children’s Commissioner for England Rachel De Souza said she remains worried the government is failing to offer long-term stability for those transitioning into adulthood.
The government insists it is committed to taking “bold steps” to tackle homelessness, but the latest statistics suggest growing pressure on services and widening inequality between care leavers and other young people.
Homelessness Rising Much Faster Among Care Leavers
The number of households with care leavers aged 18 to 20 who were threatened with homelessness rose by 9% in the past year. Those who had already become homeless and were owed a relief duty increased by 6%. For the general population, the increases were far lower — 0.3% for those threatened with homelessness and 1% for those already without stable housing.
Campaigners say the trend is becoming more acute each year. Last year’s figures showed homelessness among households with the youngest care leavers grew by 21%, nearly double the rate seen across all households. Research suggests around a third of care leavers become homeless within two years of leaving the care system.
Homelessness Minister Alison McGovern said the figures show “too many people are at risk” but emphasised the government’s investment in tackling the worst forms of homelessness and reducing B&B use. She pointed to the Homelessness Strategy, which includes £1bn for social housing and £39bn for affordable housing.
A Lived Reality: “Terrifying and Traumatic”
The figures reflect the experiences of people like Kerrie Portman, now 27, who has been homeless multiple times since leaving care at 18. Having grown up with instability, abuse and periods of homelessness while her mother struggled with addiction, she entered adulthood without a safety net.
Portman described sleeping in public bathrooms, McDonald’s branches and on long overnight buses to stay safe. She said the absence of family support and the instability of temporary accommodation left her vulnerable to violence. Attempts to pursue education — including a place at Cambridge University — were derailed by mental health challenges and lack of support.
She is now studying with the Open University and has been helped into a long-term home, but fears others will face the same barriers she did. “All of the negative outcomes are rising,” she said. “The more disadvantaged a person is, the more that leads to more disadvantage.”
Lack of Support After 18
Campaigners argue that local authorities’ legal duties to 18-year-old care leavers are insufficient when compared to the lifetime support structures other young people receive from families. Clare Bracey of the charity Become said the current system is “unacceptable”, with young people expected to become independent “overnight”.
Figures show that 40% of care leavers aged 19 to 21 are not in education, employment or training — almost three times higher than the national average. The government says its new Youth Guarantee Scheme, offering paid jobs or apprenticeships, will reduce long-term unemployment for young people, including those who were in care.
However, Labour MPs and several charities have warned that upcoming welfare reforms risk removing key protections. The education select committee recently urged ministers not to cut the health component of Universal Credit for young care leavers, but the government says no final decision has been made.
Commissioner Calls for Priority Housing and Benefits
Children’s Commissioner Rachel De Souza said the state acts as the “corporate parent” to care leavers and must therefore prioritise them in housing and benefits. She said she is “not confident” Westminster is fully considering the long-term challenges young people face and called for priority housing for the 50,000–60,000 care leavers aged 17 to 21.
De Souza also urged benefits to reflect the costs of setting up a home, noting that care leavers do not have family support to fall back on. She said policymakers must “push really hard” to deliver meaningful reform rather than short-term fixes.
Calls for Higher Benefits and More Foster Carers
Labour MP John Whitby, who has fostered 26 children, said care leavers should receive the same Universal Credit rate as claimants over 25 because they shoulder similar adult responsibilities. He raised concerns about the “flat lining” number of foster carers, warning that fewer stable placements will worsen outcomes for vulnerable children.
Whitby called for national rollout of pilot schemes included in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which expand support networks for care leavers in housing and education. He said stable accommodation must be the starting point: “If the basics are in place, then they’re not being evicted, and they can focus on education, training or work — much more aspirational things.”
Rising Pressures on UK Housing and Care Systems
The rise in homelessness among care leavers comes as the UK faces record demand for temporary accommodation, rising private rental costs and local authority funding pressures. Councils say they are struggling to meet statutory obligations, while campaigners warn that years of austerity and underfunded children’s services have left young people exposed. Recent government figures also show the number of rough sleepers in England rising again, placing further scrutiny on the system expected to protect the most vulnerable.
