A CHARITY has warned that Bradford has 611 per cent more young people  who are homeless - or at risk of homelessness - than the national average. 

That's according to new findings from Centrepoint’s annual Youth Homelessness Databank report. 

It found that:

  • 2050 young people approached Bradford Council for support because they were homeless or at risk of homelessness in 2018/2019
  • Of which 488 (24 per cent) were offered some form or prevention or relief
  • In Bradford 3.2 per cent of young people aged between 16-24 are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
  • Bradford has 611 per cent more young people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness than the national average

Now, in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, the charity is warning there will be more pressure on local authorities as demand for services increases, and financial resources are further stretched to cope with the crisis.

The Freefone Centrepoint Helpline has already seen calls from young people who have become homeless as a direct result of coronavirus.

Centrepoint’s Chief Executive Seyi Obakin said: “The government is repeatedly telling everyone to stay at home – but that is simply not possible for some of the country’s most vulnerable young people.

“Alongside the common causes of youth homelessness, we are already hearing from young people who have been evicted from accommodation tied to their work or who have been forced to leave where they were staying as the people they live with wish to self-isolate.

“What happens when a young person has nowhere else to go is crucial. This research shows how some local authorities were already struggling to find the resources to help those young people approaching them because they were facing homelessness.

"In the middle of an unprecedented pandemic, we must not get into a situation where housing offices are closing their doors and no alternative provision is in place to help those needing their support.

“The government are already stepping up support for homeless young people but they need to go further and ensure every local authority continues to provide support and by ensuring that charities and councils have enough funding to carry out their responsibilities.”  

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “Bradford Council is continuing to ensure the most vulnerable people in our district, including homeless people are supported during the coronavirus outbreak.

“Our Housing Options service is, as usual, housing people with priority need and all rough sleepers are being offered accommodation. In the district there are 21 rough sleepers who have accepted offers of accommodation, however there is a small number who have refused accommodation and our Homeless Outreach Partnership (HOP) team are still engaging with them to offer the support they need. No new rough sleepers have been identified so far this week, but we will continue to work to identify anyone who needs help.

“Where a young person approaches our housing service, we first work with parents and family members in order to prevent their homelessness.

“If we are unable to house the young person with their parents or carers, depending on the age of the young person, either our Children’s Service or Housing Options will assist them with their accommodation needs.”

 

Centrepoint's helpline can be contacted on 0808 800 0661. Meanwhile, Bradford Nightstop, a charity which gives homeless young people safe emergency stays, says it is currently unable to take referrals until further notice. 

However, people can call Bradford Housing options on 01274 435999 or 01274 381999 in out of office hours.

Housing Options is operating a telephone based service for all customers, including those that have nowhere to stay on the night.

To access this service people need to phone the above number, where a telephone assessment will be arranged.

Free phones can still be accessed from Britannia House Customer Service Centre and Keighley Town Hall. These should only be used where there is no alternative.