Plan to help young homeless in Bristol

A plan for a new housing hub in Bristol to look after young people who are at risk of homelessness has been approved.

The centre, which is expected to open in central Bristol by October, will have dedicated staff who will work with young people to prevent them ending up on the streets.

According to latest statistics the number of homeless young people in Bristol has gone down slightly after peaking at 870 in 2014/15.

However, it’s expected that there will still be around 724 people in the city aged between 16 and 24 who don’t have a home (estimated 2016/2017 figures).

One of the main reasons young people become homeless is they are told to leave home by their parents or by extended family and friends; the council now says its priority is to try and offer early information and intervention, with the aim to keep young people with their families. However, when this is not possible, staff would be able to arrange suitable accommodation.

The council will also be working with Caring in Bristol to provide short-term emergency or respite placements in host’s homes for stays of up to 45 days. This will be an alternative to placements in larger homeless hostels.

Councillor Clare Campion-Smith, cabinet member for people, said: “There is a serious shortage of affordable housing in Bristol and it is particularly difficult for young people to access housing they can afford.

“In creating this new approach, officers listened to young people using services, to understand their experience and needs and find out what they want from services.

“The best place for most young people to live is at home with their families, as long as it is safe to do so. Living on your own is not only very expensive, it can be difficult and lonely for young people.”

Read more: Rising number of young homeless in Bristol