The number of young people under 35 years experiencing homelessness has increased significantly in Cumberland over the past five years. Particularly for young people who have additional tenancy sustainment needs including care experienced, young pregnant females, young families, and young people working on a low wage.
This rise is attributed to a lack of affordable and sufficient accommodation supply of 1-bedroom properties (both within the private and social housing sector) across Cumberland to fully meet the increase in demand; increase in local rent levels; low earnings and low hours employment contracts; as well as a lack of suitable supported accommodation provision and rehousing pathways for young people to access to meet their specific accommodation and support needs.
In relation to care experienced young people experiencing homelessness, Cumberland has seen a 195% increase in statutory homelessness cases over the review period, specifically in Carlisle which has seen a 300% increase in statutory prevention and relief cases. This is an annual average increase in Cumberland across the period of 32% year on year; with an average year on year increase in Carlisle of 43%.
From 2020 to 2021 and 2023 to 2024, Cumberland has seen a 70.6% increase in the number of homelessness presentations for those aged 16 to 17years; with an average increase across the period of 20% year on year.
Key aspects to note include:
- 48% of all 16 to 17 year-old cases were within the Carlisle locality area
- 59% of all 16 to 17 year-old cases were female