Homelessness rules changed to protect care leavers

Young people leaving care will get more help from councils if they become homeless, under new housing rules in England. 

Some care leavers under the age of 25 will no longer be classed as intentionally homeless, meaning it’ll be easier for them to receive help from their local council. 

Previously, councils could class care leavers as intentionally homeless if they believed their actions led to them loosing their accommodation, such as being evicted for anti-social behaviour or falling behind on rent. 

The changes are part of a government action plan, launched during Care Leavers Month, to help stop people leaving care from becoming homeless. 

Local authorities will have to set out how they plan to meet care leavers’ housing needs, work with housing providers and explain what support is available in their area. 

Government figures show there’s 86,890 care leavers aged between 18 and 24 in England, almost 10% more than two years ago. 

Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister said: ‘Supporting young people who have been in care is a vital part of our national mission to end rough sleeping.

‘Too many care leavers step into adulthood without a strong support network around them, and homelessness can be one of the tragic consequences.

‘We’re changing children’s social care from top to bottom, making enduring relationships the focus of the system and expanding support for care leavers to help ensure they have a place to call home.’

A £3m fund will also be used to support the Test, Learn, Grow programme, which aims to prevent young people from becoming homeless.

The plans follow changes under the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, which removed the requirement for care leavers to have a local connection to an area when applying for social housing.

Meanwhile, the Staying Close programme helps young people leaving care find and keep a home, while providing support with health, education and employment.

It currently operates in 50 areas and will become a legal requirement for councils across England from 2029.

Image: Sergio García/UnSplash 

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