Youth homelessness scheme launched to help cut use of B&Bs

Centrepoint and YMCA England are to lead a government-commissioned national youth homelessness scheme designed to help deliver ministers’ efforts to eliminate bed and breakfast accommodation for 16- and 17-year-olds by 2010.

Housing minister Yvette Cooper made the announcement in a speech to Centrepoint today, as part of a package of measures designed to tackle the problem.

The scheme is designed to deliver on a series of government pledges made last November including: a commitment that, by 2010, no 16- or 17-year-olds are placed in B&Bs unless in an emergency; improved access to homelessness mediation, and  supported lodgings schemes set up across the country.

The project will have four streams. The streams on early intervention and prevention, and on addressing accommodation needs will be led by YMCA. Those on addressing non-accommodation needs and on dissemination will be headed by Centrepoint.

Cooper also announced that “centres of excellence” would be set up in each region to ensure councils with a good record on tackling youth homelessness could share practice with neighbours.