By Danny Wilkinson
Homelessness is on the rise in Leeds – and young people from areas like West Leeds are among those hit hardest due to poverty.
It is a situation that needs to be tackled both immediately and effectively in order to bring an end to rough sleeping across the city.
Government figures have shown an increase of 32% from the year 2023 and these figures continue to grow. The increased number of homeless people speaks volumes about what is now a growing crisis across the UK.
There is a sense of hope. Charities such as Centrepoint look to end youth homelessness, supporting around 14,000 young people every year in an attempt to stop youth homelessness by the year 2037.
In my opinion every young person and adult should have a place to call home and the optimistic goal to end youth homelessness by that year is certainly a step in the right direction.
People should have a place to go home to and I believe, there should be more support for those struggling to pay for food increasing the numbers of free food banks across the city.
Centrepoint also looks at keeping these young adults housed for the next four years of their lives until they are ready to move on by themselves. The majority of people that are housed by this charity don’t ever go homeless again.
It is expected by us across the U.K. that we receive free healthcare with the likes of the NHS supporting our healthcare needs to fix us when we’re not quite right. So why then is it such a big leap to say that people should be housed and fed properly as well.
There have been others that have shared their concerns for homelessness, music bands such as Fontaines DC have created a special football jersey for Bohemians FC that speaks up about homelessness across Ireland in a campaign to stop rough sleeping in the country and has raised over €12,000 for the charity already.
I believe in hope for the future of the homeless situation we have at the moment in Leeds and believe this is an issue that can be turned around and resolved.
Ambition for a completely homeless-free society is a view that not only I share and others should get involved with too. It is only a matter of time before the situation either deteriorates or improves. What sort of future do you want to live in?
If you want to donate to a youth homeless charity that strives to succeed in preventing youth homelessness please visit Centrepoint here.
Simon on the Streets offers emotional and practical support for homeless and vulnerable people.
If you are worried about someone who is sleeping on the streets, contact 0113 245 9445 or e-mail leeds.sos@cgl.org.uk.