Following Centrepoint’s yearlong Make Work Pay campaign, young people in supported housing accommodation will no longer be penalised for working more.
For years, a flaw in the benefits system meant that those who tried to work more hours, take on extra shifts or do better paid work were often left financially worse off.
Now, new changes to Housing Benefit rules mean residents aged 16-25 will keep more of what they earn. Around 30,000 young people living in supported housing receive Housing Benefit.
Centrepoint welcomed the new changes by hosting a visit from Department for Work and Pensions Minister Stephen Timms MP to one of its East London supported accommodation services. There, the Minister met Sadaf, a 19-year-old resident who talked about her hopes for the future.
Throughout her time with Centrepoint, Sadaf has overcome difficulties but remains committed to her long-term aspiration to study medicine and build a better future for herself.
Like many young people transitioning towards independence, Sadaf viewed employment as a positive step towards self-sufficiency. Her intention in seeking work was not only to gain financial independence but also to fund her education and create future opportunities.
Sadaf said: "Working made me feel like I was moving forward. I finally felt like I was doing something productive and taking responsibility for my future."
However, gaining employment triggered a significant reduction in Sadaf’s Housing Benefit entitlement. The reduction created a substantial gap between her accommodation costs and available income, resulting in rent arrears that eventually approached £5,000.
Rather than creating greater financial stability, employment created financial uncertainty. The impact extended far beyond finances alone. Housing uncertainty affected her future plans, educational opportunities, relationships and overall wellbeing.
Now that the system is working better, Sadaf is actively seeking employment again. She said: "There were times when it felt like working made everything harder, but I still believe education and employment are the way forward for me. I want to build a future where I can support myself, help other people and become the person I've always wanted to be.”
Seyi Obakin OBE, Chief Executive Officer at Centrepoint, said: “This is a landmark win for young people, and we commend the government for getting this change over the line. For too long, young people in supported housing, particularly those at the start of their careers, have had their ambitions blocked by a system that punished them for working harder.
"This is what it looks like when the system works for young people, and we hope it creates a smoother transition from benefits into work for them.”
A night of celebration and inspiration at the annual Centrepoint Awards
An incredible evening was had on Tuesday 13th October at London's Bloomsbury Ballroom for the annual Centrepoint Awards.
The event, hosted by broadcaster and long-time Centrepoint supporter Gaby Roslin, celebrated the achievements of inspirational young people who have been supported by Centrepoint and, with the foundation of a safe and stable home, have gone on to establish themselves in their careers, interests and relationships.
The night was opened by the London Cabaret Club's resident singer Sofia Klimovsky, who got the crowd in the celebratory mood before the award winners were announced. Videos showcasing the young people's stories brought tears to the eyes of many attendees.
The awards included categories like Rising Star, won by a young person whose aim is to build the next unicorn and feature on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, and the Arts and Educational Excellence Award, won by a young care leaver who has just started his first year at Oxford University studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics.
Centrepoint were joined on the evening by some of their longstanding partners, including award sponsors the cardfactory Foundation, ASOS Foundation and Clarksons.
Seyi Obakin OBE, Chief Executive at Centrepoint, said: "These awards are a poignant reminder that we are surrounded by talented young people, but the opportunities are not always there or equal. The success of the winners shows what happens when young people are given not just an opportunity to shine, but the support to do it."
Contemporary Artist Hugh Miller dedicates new artwork to Centrepoint
Following World Homelessness Day last month, contemporary artist Hugh Miller has dedicated his latest oil-on-canvas painting to Centrepoint.
As a young aspiring artist, Hugh did a lot of chalk drawings on pavements near London’s famous landmarks and met inspiring young homeless people along the way. His early years led him to take an interest in the charity’s work.
Miller’s Houses of Parliament oil-on-canvas painting is the latest in a series designed to "celebrate the aesthetic beauty of cities in the United Kingdom". The artist was given a rare chance to access the Speaker's Terrace in Parliament last month to complete a section of his painting. The visit attracted the attention of cross-party MPs and raised the profile of Centrepoint and youth homelessness in Parliament.
His latest painting - which will take another eight months to finish - will form part of his Centrepoint series collection, with all proceeds from the artwork going to the charity to help end youth homelessness.
To find out more about Hugh Miller and his work, visit www.hughmillerart.co.uk
"We Can’t Do This Alone”
Last year, over 118,000 young people faced homelessness. That’s one young person every four minutes. At a time of life when most of their peers are trying new things and taking their first steps into adulthood, these young people found themselves alone and afraid, and unsure where to turn.
It doesn’t have to be like this. With the right support at the right time, these young people can escape homelessness or avoid it altogether.
At Centrepoint, we provide more than a bed for the night. We provide a safe place to rebuild, support into education and work, and the confidence to believe in a better future.
Youth homelessness is not inevitable. With the right help at the right time, it can be prevented and it can be ended.
Our mission is to end youth homelessness – and you can help us.
Whether it’s running a marathon or holding a sleep out, you, your friends, family and co-workers can join our movement to end youth homelessness and give vulnerable young people a brighter future.
To find out more, donate or get involved, please visit our website http://www.centrepoint.org.uk/newspaper
Officials record a rise in youth homelessness deaths
Thirty-seven young people experiencing homelessness had their deaths registered in England and Wales last year, according to the latest figures released by the Office for National Statistics. Of the 37 deaths of young people aged between 16-24 years old, 29 were male and eight were female. This marks a 2.8% rise from the year before.
Overall, 974 people died while experiencing homelessness in England and Wales in 2025. This marks a 77% increase compared to when the figures were first collated in 2013, rising from 550 to 974. London had the highest estimated number of deaths in English regions, followed by the North-West and the South-East.
Matt Bawden, Director of Progression Housing at Centrepoint said: "Even one death of someone experiencing homelessness is too many. These sobering figures represent countless individual tragedies but are also indicative of a system that is failing. The need to work collaboratively to fix that system and to deliver high-quality housing and support is more urgent than ever. We believe that every young person should be given the opportunity to lead a fulfilling, healthy life where they can realise their potential."
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