Herts Young Homeless: Building Brighter Futures

Aim

Every young person needs a stable home to thrive – you can help us set young people on the path to the bright futures they deserve.

At Herts Young Homeless, we know that a safe home is the foundation that young people need to build the bright futures they deserve. Having the security of a stable home is essential for  young people to thrive in education, at work and in their relationships.  

With your help, we can break the cycle of youth homelessness.

Within Hertfordshire, the number of young people presenting to their local council as homeless has risen by 13% within the last year. Nationally, the figure grows to 118,134. That’s one young person becoming homeless every 4 minutes; facing uncertainty and fear. The crisis is growing rapidly, and our vital services are needed now more than ever. 

Our mission is to break the cycle of homelessness through education, advice and support. We believe that prevention is key to this, and our focus is on empowering young people to make positive informed choices enabling them to positively look to the future. 

A brighter future

Many of the young people we help have been through difficult experiences and trauma in their lives. These young people often do not have the support network they need during these difficult times.  

Young people like Damien, who transformed his life after facing significant challenges when he was street homeless at just 17 years old.  After struggling to engage, Damien began to receive support. He had been given social housing but was at risk of eviction due to rent arrears and other debts. 

Managing your own home can be daunting, especially without a support network. For Damien, who is neurodiverse, it was even harder. 

By providing a listening ear and slowly gaining his trust, we worked intensively with Damien. 1:1 support from our staff helps young people to overcome the difficulties they are facing whilst improving their resilience and confidence. 

Our services provide young people with the knowledge and skills they need to live independently and look ahead to a more positive future. Using our debt management and budgeting tools, Damien took control of his finances and gained the skills he needed. Today, he is debt-free and thriving. He’s managing his own home, enrolled in college and working towards a bright future.

You can make a difference

With spiralling financial pressures on families and the growing mental health crisis, it continues to be a challenging time for young people, most profoundly for those who are already vulnerable, such as those leaving care.

We believe in the potential of all young people, and know that a safe and stable home provides the foundation for brighter futures. With your support, we can continue to empower the young people in our community. 

This project successfully funded on 25th June 2025