New youth homelessness report published

A new study examining youth homelessness has been published.

The report, Young People's Homeless Pathways, followed 40 young homeless people in Dublin over a period of four years.

The study was unveiled by Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Barry Andrews at Trinity College earlier today.

It found that just over 20 per cent of the young people involved in the report moved back into the family home or into private rented accommodation while a third went into transitional housing or to State care.

These young people often benefited from family or professional supports, the report found.

However, the largest number, 45 per cent, continued to be categorised as homeless, living on the streets, in hostels or in places of detention.

Research was conducted in two phases, with phase one carried out between September 2004 and January 2005, and phase two between September 2005 and August 2006.

Dr Paula Mayock, who is one of the report's authors, said the report showed that young people could exit homelessness, and achieve greater stability in their lives.

"However, over 45 per cent of the study participants remained homeless and struggled to find and maintain secure accommodation. These young people almost always embarked on a cycle of movement between hostels, the street, and other unstable living situations after becoming homeless," she said.

"Their situations invariably worsened on reaching the age of 18 years due to the sudden withdrawal of statutory child welfare services. This strongly suggests that the current organisation of homeless services, which necessitates the transfer from child welfare to adult service at age 18, acts to perpetuate homelessness and reduce the likelihood of young people finding a secure place of residence".

The report was written by Dr Mayock, Mary Louise Corr and Dr Eoin O'Sullivan of TCD's School of Social Work and Social Policy and Children's Research Centre.