LandAid launches First Step appeal to give young homeless people the first step out of homelessness

Originally published on LandAid’s website, Alice Lamb, Deputy CEO of LandAid, shares the organisation’s ambitions for its new First Step appeal.

On Thursday 29 April LandAid launched First Step, a new appeal to fund eight key emergency accommodation projects across England, giving young homeless people the first step out of homelessness.

At LandAid we know that this year our mission to end youth homelessness has become even more vital, as we’ve seen a sharp increase in the number of young people who are homeless. Calls to national youth homelessness helplines indicate that there has been a 33% increase in the number of young people experiencing homelessness this year, compared with last. With a chronic lack of emergency accommodation for young people, the First Step appeal is critical.

The campaign marks the first step in our ambition to create 1,000 homes for young homeless people and to be delivering £1m of pro bono each year by 2024. It’s a big ambition but one we believe we can achieve with the help of the industry.

Homelessness is not inevitable. For young people who find themselves approaching charities for help across the country, they have often found their way there through structural reasons that have meant that they do not have a fair chance at success. Many young homeless people grow up in poverty, overcrowded homes and have experience of the care system. All these factors lead to them starting lower down the ladder than perhaps many of us - making this ladder seem that much steeper and reaching the top seem so much further away.

At LandAid, we know that with the right support and guidance, life doesn’t have to be this way.

First Step will give hundreds of vulnerable young people the first step out of homelessness and onto the rest of their lives. Together, we can end youth homelessness.

Find out more at www.landaid.org