BEDROOM tax and benefit reform have been blamed for a rise in youth homelessness as parents struggle to accommodate their children.

A survey published this week found the primary cause of youth homelessness in the region was parents no longer being willing to house their older children.

Youth homelessness is continuing to increase in the region according to the third annual survey conducted by Youth Homelessness North East (YHNE) and published this week.

North-East local authorities are seeing at least one homeless young person a day, the research suggests.

Each month, hundreds of youngsters approach their local authorities for help after finding themselves homeless – mostly because of family breakdown.

The issue has been linked to changes in the benefit system as well as overcrowding, abuse and financial difficulties.

Bedroom tax, benefit sanctions and the introduction of universal credit are having a significant impact on the region’s young people, according to YHNE.

Changes and reductions in housing benefit are also reported to be affecting young people’s ability to access and sustain housing.

Sharon Brown, the regional manager of YHNE, said: “Youth homelessness is increasing in our region and the main factor is family relationship breakdown.

“With families under increasing financial pressure, more parents are struggling to keep their older children under one roof.

“The impacts are massive both short-term and long-term – young people without homes, security and jobs feel they have no future.

“They can find themselves on a downward spiral of poverty, poor mental and physical health.

“The consequences though affect all and it’s really important that we invest in our young people – that means making sure they have somewhere to live, that they have the means to pay their bills and plan for the future.”

To help young people affected by benefit reform, the report calls for more welfare rights officers in the region, the production of accessible information resources on welfare reform for young clients and regular one-to-one meetings about benefits.

To read the survey or for more information on YHNE or homelessness, visit yhne.org.uk.