More property to shelter Hull's homeless

A HULL charity is set to increase the number of bed spaces it offers to homeless young people.

The move by Doorstep has been triggered by a recent surge in homelessness cases in the city.

The upward trend is being blamed on the continuing impact of the economic downturn.

Under the initiative, the charity based in Fairfax Avenue, west Hull, is working with private housing company Unicom and Hull City Council.

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The council is providing support through its housing benefits section while the lettings company is identifying suitable properties.

One property in the Beverley Road area is already being made available and it is hoped a total of 40 new bed spaces in different properties will eventually be freed up as a result of the joint project.

Doorstep's project director, Peter Drinkell, said: "Because of the favourable stance by the council and the good working relationship we have with Unicom, we have been able to start the process of increasing the amount of accommodation needed to house the homeless 16 to 25-year-olds in our city."

The new properties will be added to the charity's existing 200 bed spaces across the city.

Mr Drinkell said: "Once established, the new properties will help in dealing the 1,400 enquiries for accommodation we receive each year."

The charity is one of the longest-running organisations working directly with homeless in the city.

It was launched in 1985 and currently operates 80 different properties in Hull, owning a significant number of them.

As well as providing a room and a bed, the charity also organises support for its young residents with the aim of eventually moving them into permanent accommodation.

Mr Drinkell said: "Doorstep can only help a percentage of those who are referred to us – this is the harsh reality of homelessness in Hull.

"Although we can only guess at what happens to those we have to turn away, we try to ensure that those who do get a place with us receive all the help, information and support available, to equip them to survive in their independent tenancies.

"We have realised that one of the main reasons for younger people failing in their independent tenancies is due to a lack of life skills that many of us may take for granted.

"If, for whatever reason, this learning process has been disrupted, it is not surprising that young people need help with coping on their own in an unfurnished flat on one of the outer estates.

"This is only one side of the support we offer.

"Help with sorting out benefits, linking-in with other agencies are all part of the work done."