Hostels turn away homeless as cuts and recession hit services

Hull Homeless & Rootless Project, which has been operating in Hull for more than three years, says the situation is “worse than it has been for some considerable time.”

Chief executive Gavin Baggs said a combination of cuts combined with the state of the economy was causing the system to become “clogged up.” He added: “We know from many years almost anyone can become homeless if they are faced with some sort of personal disaster in their lives.

“We are very busy. There is a definite difficulty in being able to help people move into more settled accommodation because the system has become clogged up.

“There are less beds available to us; there’s less support in the way of floating support and society in general, more people are experiencing difficulties.

“We are finding emergency accommodation which is the last resort is completely full for the majority of nights. We are sometimes sadly having to turn people away.”

A leaked letter from Community Secretary Eric Pickles’ office predicted that plans to cut welfare payments risks making 40,000 families homeless.

Mr Baggs said cuts to benefits were bound to have an impact, but its extent would only be known with time: “I think there will be a knock on in homelessness in general.

“I am not suggesting there will be a sharp increase generally.

“Any cut in benefits to a family or household that’s finding it difficult to make ends meet poses the risk of pushing them into debt or potentially arrears with debt and obviously the consequence of that might ultimately be homelessness.”

Hull Harp is one of the partners behind a new service, one of the country’s first training and enterprise centres, which will open its doors next month.

The Crossings, a building on a disused factory site on Great Union Street, will provide temporary beds for 46 people.

The £5m centre will have facilities including an IT suite, employment and education services, a multi-gym, treatment rooms and a café.

Many of the facilities will be available for use by the local community.

The new building is just a stone’s throw from two existing hostels, Harbour Hostel in Roper Street and Dock House in St Peter Street, both of which are due to close.

As reported in yesterday’s Yorkshire Post, the charity has also just launched a new outreach service for East Riding Council.

Two outreach workers will be splitting their time between Hull and the East Riding, as well as Scarborough, helping people into accommodation and directing those with medical problems or drink or other addictions to find help and support.

East Riding Council is preparing a bid for Government funds to provide new services for the homeless and those at risk of homelessness. The area currently has no beds for the homeless meaning some people having to travel to Hull.

Mr Baggs said until recently the East Riding was not on the radar: “The number doesn’t sound too bad but the national count was something like 500.

“The East Riding was suddenly shown to be somewhere with a rough sleeping problem.

“Instead of being an area where it hasn’t seemed much of a problem, suddenly it was at the top end.”

John Craig, from East Riding Council, said: “The purpose of the project is to extend what already happens in Hull through Hull Harp.

“I think it is really important we do link in with the whole range of community groups and churches who already provide a valuable service.”

Anyone worried about a person who is either sleeping rough or at risk of becoming homeless can make a referral to the outreach team on 1482 225029.