It is reported that 18–29-year-olds represent 20-30% of the total number of homeless people in the majority of European countries5. While more and more young people are seeking assistance from social services, many young homeless people still avoid asking for assistance until their situation is really untenable. They tend to use up their alternative options by staying with friends, family or other contacts before asking for assistance from the sector. These situations are rarely visible and may lead to danger or abuse. In the United Kingdom, the annual Homeless Link report estimates that about half of those passing through emergency accommodation and supported housing projects are in the 18-24 age bracket.

Homelessness is experienced differently by young people than by adults: the causes and conditions are different, so the responses and solutions must also be different. The road to independence is unavoidably via housing.