Five youth homelessness charities have been awarded grants totalling £300,000 over the next two years to support their long-term sustainability and “build organisations' resilience”.

Each has been awarded a grant of £60,000 from the Berkeley Foundation over the next two years to secure the future of their support for young people facing homelessness.

The charities are Settle, Esteem, The Foyer Federation, Youth Concern and CARAS (Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers).

The grant maker is the charitable arm of house builder the Berkeley Group and has selected the five charities to tackle growing rates of youth homelessness.

All five charities have been handed money through the Foundation’s resilience fund.

While The Foyer Federation and Settle offer online and in person support across London and elsewhere, the other three charities have been selected due to their strong localised service.

Esteem supports people in West Sussex, while CARAS operates in South West London and Youth Concern is based in Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire.

The Foundation points out that last year just under 136,000 people aged 16 to 25 approached their council as homeless.

The actual figure could be higher due to hidden homelessness, such as those forced to sofa surf at friends’ homes it points out.

“We’re delighted to partner with the Berkeley Foundation through their Resilience Fund,” said CARAS head of development and impact Jamie Charnock.

“The intersection of policy changes and the cost-of-living crisis has created unparalleled challenges for the young people we work with, and support from the Resilience Fund will provide us with the unique opportunity to focus on diversifying our income streams and re-strategise at this pivotal moment.

“As a result, we’ll be able to run a more agile and adaptable service capable of delivering transformative outcomes for young people across south London.”

Berkeley Foundation head Sally Dickinson added: “Our five new partners are all delivering important work in their communities, working with young people who are facing or experiencing homelessness.

“Our funding will contribute to their survival in the difficult current climate and ensure they are around to continue improving life for young people in years to come."

---