YMCA England & Wales · 2024
This YMCA England & Wales report revisits the impact of the cost of living crisis on young people in supported housing, 18 months after an initial 2022 study. Drawing on focus groups with 131 residents and interviews with 32 staff across 15 YMCAs in England, it finds that food poverty, unaffordable energy bills, rent arrears, and inability to save remain acute problems, with little improvement since 2022. Residents feel trapped by the Housing Benefit work taper, a punishing Universal Credit system, and bleak prospects for moving on to independent living. The report calls for reforms including an Essentials Guarantee, adjustments to the Housing Benefit work taper, a Universal Credit top-up for under-25s in supported accommodation, and free travel passes.