Homeless Young People’s Parliament

Young homeless people are set to have a say on policy affecting them, following the government announcement of funding to create a Homeless Young People’s Parliament.

Housing Minister Mark Prisk has pledged £210,000 towards the project, which will be led by St Basils youth homelessness charity.

The announcement followed an appeal by young homeless people in December, who asked government ministers to provide a forum for their voices in a homeless youth manifesto.  

The manifesto was presented to a cross-party panel of MPs including Conservative planning minister Nick Boles, Labour shadow housing minister Jack Dromey, and Liberal Democrat communities and local government minister Don Foster.

Earlier this year, research by the Law Centres Network showed council protocols, which are meant to ensure the needs of homeless 16 and 17-year-olds are met, were failing to ensure support reached teenagers.

Members of the Homeless Young People’s Parliament will give their first presentation to ministers during the Ministerial Working Group on Homelessness in the autumn.