The Impact of Homelessness Among the UK Youths: Possible Solutions to Alleviate the Problem - Research Paper Example

 Abstract Studies indicate that approximately 800,000 youths in UK are living under homeless conditions due to a number of socioeconomic factors. This research proposal therefore seeks to examine the extent to which UK youths between 18 and 25 years are affected by homelessness, and to identify possible solutions to alleviate the problem. The desired data shall be collected through administered questionnaires, interviews, FGDs and KIIs from a randomly selected sample of 300 youths within the predetermined target group. Thereafter, the study will process and analyse the information using SPSS to determine the impact of homelessness among UK youths. Aim The transition period from childhood to adulthood falls between 18 and 25 years of age as young people endeavour to attain self-dependence (Kidd 2006, p.292). The aim of this project is therefore to establish the impact of homelessness among UK youth within the transition age bracket. Objectives Owing to the persistent debate on homelessness in the UK, it is probable that young people between 18 and 25 years are also affected by the issue. Thus, the proposed research study herein seeks to achieve the following objectives; 1. To assess the magnitude of homelessness among the youth in UK. 2. To identify the socioeconomic factors influencing the rate of youth homelessness. 3. To evaluate the sociological effects of homelessness among the target population. 4. To explore possible solutions to the homelessness problem among UK youth. Introduction The problem of housing in the UK is one of the most debated issues on the international policy making arena. First and foremost, the population of UK is currently estimated at 62,698,362 which make it the 22nd most populated country in the world. On the other hand, the country has an urban population of more than 80 per cent with a nominal urbanization rate of about 0.7% per annum as reported by Spicker (2011). That notwithstanding, the population of youth between 18 and 25 years by July 201 was about 13% of the total population. On the other hand, the prevailing unemployment rate among youths stood at slightly above 18.7percent, yet the national literacy level of the country has surpassed the 99% mark (Quilgars, Fitzpatrick & Pleace 2009, p.84). Thus, a regression analysis of these figure imply that more youths will have no jobs in the near future as the job market become saturated with professional. In terms of housing, UK has, has experienced significant changes over the five decade. Primarily, there have been radical fluctuations in baseline housing trends and tenure. For instance, personals housing and ownership occupation has risen from 10% to about 67% of the unit stock since mid-1970s while private renting has since declined from 91% to less than 10% over the same period (Anderson & Christian 2003, p.106). On the contrary, Spicker (2011) observed that municipal housing performance only grew by less than 33 per cent before it further deteriorated to less than 25% in early years of the 21st century. According to the RRPI (2012), the average cost of rental housing in the UK has reduced for £4380 to £1237 and then rose to £1302 in November, December and January 2012 consecutively. Conversely, the average annual salary in UK was £25,800, equivalent to £2,150 monthly as at September 2009 (Quilgars, Fitzpatrick & Pleace 2009, p.85). It follows that an average employee in the UK could not afford decent housing as at November 2011. Even with the reduced rate, a one bedroomed house would cost a family more than half its salary income. It also means that low income earners cannot afford a mortgage bearing in mind that their income is almost less than 25% of those privileged enough to take housing mortgages. Thus, more than half the population of UK will continue suffering the agony of homelessness for the next couple of decade hence the need to assess the impact on youths. Literature review Since early 1980s, Europe has been exhibiting an upward trend in demand for housing due to nominal rise in population growth and globalization across the continent. Besides the escalated population influx, increased industrial activities and rising unemployment rate forced the UK rural populations to migrate to towns is search of jobs and better living conditions as argued by Anderson and Christian (2003, p.106). Besides, the external pressure on tenure ownership triggered economic turbulence on the housing sector. Thus, individuals began to pursue private ownership of land and home for fears of looming rise in property prices. From a different perspective, Milbourne and Cloke (2006) observed that the high demand for property ownership motivated the sale of land and homes to wealthy landlords and private investor along the London suburbs. The trends continued for a number of decades which saw the decline in rental properties from about 90 per cent to less than 10% by early 2000s as reiterated by Quilgars, Johnsen and Pleace (2008, p.72). That notwithstanding, the local councils expressed less concerns toward the need to construct more rental halls for the rising urban population. Milbourne and Cloke (2006, p.93) ascertained that such laxity emanated from the spirited operations of local and foreign banks resolved increase the issuance of housing mortgages to the pensionable civil servants and stable businesspersons. Such activities spearheaded the growth in private housing owner to more than two-thirds of its original position in late 1970s. At the same time, the municipal units could not absorb the outgrown urban population since it only possessed less than a quarter of the total housing spectra. With increase private tenure and high demand for home ownership, the UK value of mortgages skyrocketed and cost of rental housing went up drastically as a result of increased demands for shelter by the low income majority. That marked the initial housing crisis in late 1980s. The trend persisted for almost a decade before it experienced an inflation drop of about 15% of the nominal rates as witnessed in 1992 (Anderson & Christian 2003, p.115). Later on, the market forces pushed back the mortgage values to a higher margin to more than £200,000 per unit as domestic inflation declined towards early years of 21st century. It is these fluctuations that have made the UK housing industry more volatile in recent years, resulting in evictions and homelessness. Similarly, the high mortgage priced automatically priced out first time buyers most of whom are below 30 years. That situations has since created economic upheavals in UK, homelessness among low income earners and youths as discussed by (Barry 2005, pp.27-31). Hypothesis Research Questions The null hypothesis, Ho for this study is that; youths between 18 and 25years are not significantly affected by homeliness in UK. Therefore, if homelessness indeed traverses the entire population pyramid in the UK; 1. What proportion of youth between 18 and 25 years are affected? 2. What factors are responsible for the observed state of homelessness among the youths in UK? 3. If it is true that youths are victims of UK homelessness, are there any sociological problems associated with the issue? 4. What are the available options to manage or reduce youth homelessness? Methodology Study Design: The proposed research shall utilize a descriptive randomized design to draw a representative sample of 300 subjects from a target population of youths between 18 and 25 years of age. The proportions will be evenly distributed across both the rural and urban settings, irrespective of colour, race, religion or political affiliation. Data collection: Quantitative data will be collected through administered questionnaires. In particular, the data will comprise respondents’ age, average income, expenditure on housing and number of dependants. Qualitative data will be collected from open-ended focused group discussions subject interviews and key informant interviews. Specific problem using the method: It is often difficult to statistically analyse the results obtained through a descriptive study design. On the other hand, quantitative technique may become tedious and time consuming especially when sampling about 300 people between 18 and 25 years old in a cosmopolitan society where age is never openly disclosed. Data analysis: Both quantitative and qualitative data collected will be analysed using SPSS version 16.0 to determine the statistical correlation, ANOVA, factor analysis and ANCOVA. The system will also be utilized to run the t-test for purposes of testing the hypothesis (Frankel & Devers 2000, p.254). Lastly, the findings shall be presented in tables and graphs, discussed and concluded accordingly. Variables: The independent variables will comprise population growth, availability of housing, level of income, size of household, government policies and money supply in the global financial market. Dependent variables include respondent’s age, accessibility to decent housing, expenditure on housing and sociological effects on youths. Ethical considerations: Prior to the actual study, the researcher will conduct a reconnaissance tour of the study area to familiarise with the targeted population. During that time, the researcher will seek necessary permission from relevant authorities to conduct the study with full assurance of anonymity, informed consent, subject confidentiality and strict observation of social research protocol (Id, p.258). Limitations: While this study aims to assess the youth homelessness situation in the UK, it might not fully unravel the confounding factors such as composition of individual families, community setting and political influence. Thus, the need for further related studies cannot be overemphasized. Work Schedule The proposed research project shall be conducted within three months spanning through January to mid-April as illustrated in Figure 1 below. Figure 1: Planned timeframe for the proposed Research Project. Activity/Time January February March April Concept Paper Research Proposal Data Collection Data Analysis Report Writing Thesis Presentation References Anderson, I & Christian, J 2003, ‘Causes of homelessness in the UK: a dynamic analysis’, Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, vol.13, no. 2, pp. 105–118. Barry, M 2005, Youth policy and social inclusion: critical debates with young people, Routledge, London. Fitzpatrick, S, Quilgars, D & Pleace, N 2008, Youth homelessness in the UK: a decade of progress?, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, York. Frankel, R & Devers, K 2000, ‘Study design in qualitative research: developing questions and assessing resource needs’ Journal of Education for Health, vol.13, no.2, 251–261 Kidd, S 2006, ‘Youth homelessness and social stigma’, Journal of Youth and Adolescence, vol.36, no.3, pp. 291-299 Milbourne, P & Cloke, J 2006, International perspectives on rural homelessness, Taylor & Francis, London. Quilgars, D, Fitzpatrick, S & Pleace, N 2009, Homelessness in the UK: Problems and Solutions, Chartered Institute of Housing, London. Quilgars, D, Johnsen, S & Pleace, N 2008, Youth Homelessness in the UK, URL: RRPI, 2012, Residential Rental Price Index for all properties, URL: Spicker, P 2011, An introduction to Social Policy: Housing and Urban Policy, URL: Read More