A Bristol charity said rising costs and limited availability are a “significant barrier” to people having safe and secure rental housing.
It comes as more than 100 people participated in a sleep out in the centre of the city to highlight the issues around youth homelessness.
Huge surges in private renting costs have left many under 25s unable to afford rental accommodation.
Caring in Bristol said the problem was “driving homelessness among young people in Bristol”.
The biggest reason for people becoming homeless was the end of private tenancies, Bristol City Council’s Homeless and Rough Sleeping Strategy revealed.
The Renter’s Rights Act, rolling out in from May 2026, intends to put an end to these no fault evictions – where tenants are told to leave their rental homes without reason – and will empower tenants to challenge unfair rent increases.
🚨BREAKING NEWS
— Renters' Reform Coalition (@RentersReformCo) November 14, 2025
The Renters' Rights Act will come into force on 1st May 2026!
For decades, renters have had the threat of no-fault evictions hanging over their head. From May, this will no longer be a worry.
Stay tuned for more info on your new rights!https://t.co/EL4pJfIUjm
With one in 20 people sleeping rough being 18-25, Charities like 1625 Independent people and Caring for Bristol recognise more needs to be done to protect young people and address the inadequate systems causing homelessness to rise.
1625 Independent People hosted their 11th annual Sleep Out last night. Their biggest fundraising event of the year, the event raises money and awareness for young people facing homelessness or leaving care in Bristol and across the South West.
The event brings the community together to face a night sleeping outdoors at the Lloyds Amphitheatre. As the rain poured down, dozens of people turned up with their sleeping bags ready for a night of fundraising.
The tent damp but spirits high as participants settled in to listen to stories from 1625 ambassadors, young people helped by the organisation.
Zac talked about how 1625 Independent people “did everything they could to keep me moving forward”, adding: “I’ve learnt it’s okay to ask for help.”
1625 Independent People provide long- and short-term accommodation for young people across Bristol and the South West who are homeless, leaving care or at risk of homelessness.
Their main objective is to ensure young people have a safe and secure place to live as well as providing support, advice and training that allows young people to look forward to a happy and secure future.
Before youth ambassador Avery performed for the very first time with her guitar, she thanked Sleep Out participants telling them how “things like this make our lives easier” and “funding is what makes us able to survive”.
Although challenging, the Sleep Out is not supposed to replicate the tough realities of rough sleeping.
Dom Wood chief executive of 1625 Independent People said: “Sleep Out isn’t about learning what it’s like to be homeless, It’s about learning what it’s like to not feel comfortable and safe.
“What we are here to do tonight is to celebrate strong dynamic amazing young people who have got bright futures, it won’t always have felt like that for them.”
Discussing the misconceptions around homelessness, Alv from Caring in Bristol said: “We have a blaming attitude towards homelessness and that stops us from examining what’s really happening.”
Services provided by Caring in Bristol and 1625 Independent people can only go so far to tackle growing numbers of people experiencing homelessness.
Alv added: “We need to address the structural issues around housing and homelessness. We need to make housing more affordable, more accessible and more available.”
