A BRADFORD-based homeless charity has been boosted by a £74,070 grant from Lloyds Bank Foundation.

Bradford Cyrenians has received the funds from the Lloyds Bank Foundation, to help house and support homeless people across the Bradford area.

The grant will go towards running the charity's Re-Start Service over the next three years, which helps to people caught in a cycle of rough sleeping to overcome the factors that see them returning to live on the streets.

The service also helps clients into safe and more permanent housing so that they can rebuild their lives for the long term.

Bradford Cyrenians was founded in 1972, and is a lifeline for local homeless people, responding both to emergency calls for accommodation and also helping to address some of the root causes of homelessness in the area.

In 1974 the charity was given its premises at 255 to 257 Manningham Lane by Bradford Council on a free rent.

A study by Shelter found more than 400 people are homeless in the city.

Rubina Bokhari, Bradford Cyrenians chief executive, said: "Rough sleeping is sadly evident in most towns and cities.

"Benefits reform, and particularly sanctions, together with the rise in the cost of living impacts heavily on someone's ability to maintain a home.

"Added to this are the pressures of debt, substance misuse, mental and physical health which can exacerbate the situation and lead to breakdown in tenancies.

"Bradford Cyrenians are delighted to have secured funding through Lloyds Bank Foundation.

"The financial security for the next three years means our service can continue to help divert vulnerable people away from living on the streets and into safe and secure accommodation with a range of specialist support."

Paul Streets, Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales chief executive, praised the charity's work.

He said: "With poverty and disadvantage high and rising, local charities like Bradford Cyrenians are on the front line in their communities offering help to people who need it most.

"We are proud to be able to fund Bradford Cyrenians, whose work tackling homelessness is life-changing.

"We look forward to supporting them as they continue to make a lasting impact in 2018 and beyond."

Bradford Cyrenians is one of seven charities in Yorkshire supported in Lloyds Bank Foundation's latest funding round, which awarded a total of £517,415 across the region, tackling issues including unemployment, domestic violence and addiction.

Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales is one of the UK's leading community grant-makers, committed to tackling disadvantage through small and local charities. The Foundation is an independent registered charity funded by the profits of Lloyds Banking Group as part of its commitment to Helping Britain Prosper.