A project originating in a Welsh school six years ago is proving effective in preventing youth homelessness through early intervention. The initiative, known as Upstream, now operates in 12 schools across south Wales and the valleys. Officials emphasize that addressing potential family breakdown and supporting young people before they experience homelessness is more cost-effective and leads to better long-term outcomes.
Yvonne Connolly, operational director at Llamau, the charity behind the project, highlighted the generational impact such programs can have, noting that more than half of homeless adults experienced homelessness before the age of 21. "What we really want to do is help families not get to the point where relationships break down beyond repair," Connolly stated.
The Upstream project, pioneered by Llamau, has also been instrumental in helping other organizations implement similar programs across England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The charity leads the UK steering group, which received a Homelessness Excellence Award earlier this year. In 2025, the UK government incorporated Upstream England pilot projects into its national plan to end homelessness.
Despite its success and the UK government's adoption of the model, Llamau warns that Wales could fall behind other parts of the UK without sustained long-term funding. Expanding the project beyond south Wales and the valleys is described as a slow process without continued support. "What the danger here is that without that long-term funding commitment Wales could get left behind, despite Wales creating this," Connolly said.
Llamau also points to the financial benefits of preventing homelessness. Mediation services can avert family breakdown, a primary driver of youth homelessness, potentially saving over £27,000 per person in specialist accommodation costs. The Welsh government reported it is providing more than £3.7 million this year through the youth support grant to identify and assist young people at risk of homelessness early. An additional £3.5 million is invested in innovative youth homelessness projects, including Housing First for Youth, aimed at helping vulnerable young people avoid or exit homelessness.