Priced Out and Pushed Out: Why Rising Rents Are Driving Young People Onto the Streets

Posted on: 26th March 2026 | 3 min

Across the UK, a growing number of young people are being quietly pushed out of housing and onto the streets.

This isn’t just about homelessness.
It’s about a system where rising rents, low incomes, and lack of support are colliding leaving young people with nowhere to go.

For many, the journey doesn’t start on the streets.
It starts with a rent increase they simply cannot afford.

The Reality: When Rent Becomes Unaffordable

Over the past few years, rents have risen sharply across the UK. At the same time, wages for young people — especially those in entry-level roles or not in employment have not kept pace.

For young people aged 16–24, the situation is even more fragile:

Limited access to stable employment
Lower wages or zero-hour contracts
Barriers to claiming housing support
Lack of guarantors or rental history

For those already facing challenges care leavers, young people excluded from school, or those struggling with mental health the risk is even higher.

A single rent increase can trigger a chain reaction:

Falling behind on payments
Conflict at home or eviction
Sofa surfing
Sleeping rough

This is not rare. It is becoming normal.

When Housing Instability Leads to Bigger Risks

When a young person loses stable housing, the impact goes far beyond where they sleep.

It affects:

Mental health – anxiety, depression, and isolation increase rapidly
Safety exposure to exploitation, crime, and harmful environments
Opportunity education, employment, and training become almost impossible to sustain

What starts as a housing issue quickly becomes a life trajectory issue.

Without intervention, this pathway often leads to long-term unemployment, involvement in the justice system, or chronic homelessness.

Why Traditional Systems Are Falling Short

There is no shortage of services.
But there is a shortage of connection, trust, and practical pathways.

Many young people tell us:

They feel judged or labelled
Support is too process-driven, not person-centred
Classroom environments increase anxiety rather than build confidence
They are offered advice, but not real opportunities

College is not for everyone.
And when young people disengage from education, they are often left with very few alternatives.

A Different Approach: Real Opportunities, Not Just Support

At Genuine Futures, we believe the solution is not just housing — it is stability through purpose.

Young people don’t just need a place to stay.
They need a reason to get up, a place to belong, and a pathway forward.

Through programmes like Boss Your Future, we provide:

Hands-on, real-world experience (not classroom-based learning)
Enterprise opportunities through initiatives like We Shine Any Car
Supportive environments that build trust and confidence
Clear progression routes into employment or self-employment

We meet young people where they are not where systems expect them to be.

Sam Smith, Co-Director of Genuine Futures, says:

“We’re seeing more young people being pushed out, not because they want to be on the streets, but because they’ve simply run out of options.

The reality is, this isn’t slowing down — the numbers will continue to rise. We’re seeing it coming down the road with exclusions, rising rents, and young people losing trust in support systems.

We have to act earlier and differently.”

Mike Alleyne, Co-Director of Genuine Futures, adds:

“If a young person doesn’t feel safe, stable, or supported, nothing else works not education, not employment, nothing.

We have to rebuild that foundation. That starts with relationships, real opportunities, and environments where young people feel they belong.”