Young Woman Addresses MPs on Homelessness and Universal Credit Challenges

A young woman who experienced homelessness has informed Members of Parliament that she believes she would “probably be dead or on drugs” if not for the assistance provided by a charitable organization. Stevie, a resident of Winchester in Hampshire, resorted to sofa-surfing at the homes of friends following the breakdown of her family relationship. During her late teenage years, while living with her belongings in a duffle bag, she was connected with Step by Step, an Aldershot-based organization that supported her in stabilizing her life. Currently 22 years old and serving as an ambassador for the charity, she delivered a speech detailing her experiences in the House of Commons. Stevie resided in foster care from the age of 12 to 17, subsequently returning to live with her family for 18 months before difficulties arose. A dispute within her family resulted in her becoming homeless, leading her to depend on the generosity of friends for survival. She stated, “It felt awful, I had a couple of T-shirts and a charger in my bag, my mental state was at its absolute lowest,” further remarking, “You never expect it to happen.” Stevie reported that she was subsisting on universal credit, which amounted to just over £255 per month for a single individual under 25 years old during 2021 and 2022. She commented: “Under 25s get less money and sometimes I would be like, ‘Oh, I can’t afford to eat this week – brilliant.'” Stevie explained that after allocating her available funds to food, phone bills, and travel, her life became profoundly solitary. She observed: “A lot of relationships break down because you have no money to go and see friends, you can’t afford to go out for dinner.” She added: “I was always on my own… in the end they just stop asking you.” Subsequently, she contacted Step by Step, a charitable organization dedicated to assisting young individuals experiencing difficult circumstances, mental health issues, and homelessness. The charity secured a stable living situation for her with a host family and provided aid to help her resume her education. Stevie stated that the charity motivated her to strive to become the “best version” of herself. Stevie remarked, “Without them I’d probably be dead or on drugs,” and further noted: “It feels safe and like a real family.” Currently pursuing creative writing at the University of Winchester, Stevie has cultivated an enthusiasm for public speaking. During the “Moving Towards Independence” event at the House of Commons, she addressed the financial and mental challenges encountered by individuals in comparable circumstances, and outlined what she believed required alteration. Overcoming her apprehension, she commented: “I was sort of shaking a bit beforehand in front of all of these quite powerful people.” Stevie conveyed to the MPs her view that young individuals ought to receive the same amount of universal credit as their older counterparts. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) affirmed its commitment to reviewing universal credit to ensure individuals obtain necessary support as promptly as possible. A spokesperson further stated: “For younger customers who live independently or who have other living costs, universal credit also includes additional amounts for housing, children, childcare costs, disability and carers.”