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Homeless hostel closes amid looming sleeping rough rise
A HOMELESS hostel in Leeds is set to close following a review of council services.
Leeds City Council, which has seen an increase in housing inquiries in the last three years, says talks it has carried out with those using the homeless service have said they would prefer self-contained accommodation rather than using a hostel service.
Yesterday the authority said Ladybeck House Hostel, in the Eastgate area of the city, which provides short-term emergency housing to single people and childless couples, will close on March 4.
The council says although it is able to provide short-term housing, it does not help the person in the longer term, and is no longer fit for purpose.
At the end of last year homeless workers in the city warned the number of people sleeping rough in Leeds could double as the financial crisis bites.
Yesterday, the council said in the run-up to the closure, there will be a gradual reduction in admissions, and arrangements have been put in place to increase the capacity of its alternative furnished self-contained accommodation for singles and families.
Coun Peter Gruen, the council’s executive board member for neighbourhoods and housing, said: “The feedback we have had from people using our homeless services clearly tells us that our services need to be more flexible and better able to respond to a broad range of needs.
“Hostels are no longer a popular option. Although they can often solve an immediate housing need, people feel that temporary self-contained accommodation is a more preferable option and has a better, longer term outcome.
“It is for this reason that we have decided to close Ladybeck Hostel, along with a gradual reduction in hostels across Leeds in the future.
“We will ensure that there are still direct access hostel services available for people who do still wish to use these services within the city, but are seeking to move to a more effective way of offering homeless services in Leeds.”
Over the last three years there has been an increase in the number of people accessing housing advice and making inquiries to the council. However, the authority says there has been a proactive approach to preventing homelessness and needing temporary accommodation.
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