OVER 13,700 young people have been affected by homelessness in the West Midlands in the last year, new statistics show.
Coventry Building Society and youth homelessness charity Centrepoint have launched a new hub aimed at supporting young people facing homelessness in Coventry.
The Hub will offer support which will be provided by St Basils, the Councils housing and children’s services and partners including Haven, the Probation service, MIND, and Positive Choices.
Located at Harp Place on Sandy Lane, it is set to become a one-stop destination for single people aged 18-24 who are seeking guidance.
The youth hub aims to address the needs of homeless people from housing and benefits advice to education and training opportunities.
It was opened by Coun David Welsh and guests included Coun Pat Seaman, West Midlands Combined Authority Mayor Andy Street.
Kip, a young person who benefitted from St Basils, said: “Before I was safely housed and supported by St Basils, I was having to retell my story to so many different people and organisations, which is beyond exhausting and upsetting.
“It would have been so much easier if I only had to tell my story once, and not constantly have to constantly relive my past and be extremely vulnerable to strangers.
“I’m grateful that other young people can now access a single service to help take over the massive burden of navigating the housing system by yourself, so they can concentrate on their well-being and building themselves up again, with support from an organisation who believes in them.”
In the last year in Coventry, 1,945 young people reached out to the Council for help – an increase of 17 per cent on the previous financial year.
Seyi Obakin, Chief Executive at Centrepoint, said: “Many young people don’t know where to turn for support or what their options are, which is why dedicated hubs like this one, connecting vulnerable young people to a range of holistic services, are so sorely needed not just here but everywhere.”
