Youth homelessness increases in Norfolk district

The number of young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in a Norfolk district has increased by nearly 13pc over three years.

Breckland Council documents show 141 people aged 16 to 24 within the region were homeless or in critical need of housing between 2024/25.

This figure is up from 125 in 2022/23, though a slight decrease from a peak of 144 the following year.

The figures come as Breckland’s Conservative cabinet prepares to vote on a proposal to grant £1.2 million to housing provider YMCA Norfolk to develop new youth-specialist provisions in the district.

Specialised youth accommodation is a form of supported housing designed to provide young people with a stepping stone between homelessness and independent living.

They typically combine affordable accommodation with on-site support, helping residents access education, training and employment while developing the skills needed to manage their own home.

Provision of this kind in Breckland is currently extremely limited.

Just one organisation operates in the district, offering eight one-bedroom flats in Thetford, with only one vacancy arising in the past 12 months.

In total, 58 young people aged 18 to 25 are currently recorded as being in need of housing across the region.

YMCA Norfolk already runs similar schemes in Norwich, Great Yarmouth and King’s Lynn.

If approved, the provider would focus its search for a suitable site in the north of Breckland, where no provision currently exists.

The £1.2 million grant would form part of a wider funding package estimated at more than £3.1 million, with additional contributions expected from YMCA Norfolk and the Homes England.

Breckland’s cabinet is set to meet on Monday where members have been recommended to approve the grant.

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