Report: Youth homelessness   

Far more young people are rough sleeping and sofa surfing than official figures suggest according to this new report. Although homelessness in Scotland overall is declining, the report highlights three major areas for concern.

1. There is a much greater incidence of ‘sofa surfing’ (staying on friends and relatives sofas) than is reflected in official figures
2. Young people’s mental health is a growing concern
3. Young homeless people’s needs are more complex than they used to be which has impacted on homelessness services

Conclusions include: a statistically disproportionate number of young people who have previously been looked after present as homeless before the age of 25.