Information on Loughborough

Teenage Housing Pilot Hailed a Success

Posted on 17/08/2009

A pilot scheme aimed at preventing homelessness and reducing the use of Bed and Breakfast accommodation for 16 and 17 year old teenagers in Charnwood has proved such a success it is to continue.

From May 2008 until May 2009 a total of 160 youngsters aged 16 and 17 used the Single Access Point (SAP) which was set up in Leicester Road, Loughborough.

The service was established by Charnwood Borough Council and The Bridge Independent Housing Service last year as a pilot initiative.

The aim was to reduce the number of young people with housing difficulties spending time in bed and breakfast accommodation.

Thanks to the SAP, this has been reduced by more than 93 per cent.

Young people who come to SAP with housing difficulties are given help to develop an action plan to deal with their situation and their own case worker.

Staff offer support, advice and guidance and provide access to external partner agencies. They even carry out home visits to family members in a bid to resolve any issues that have arisen at home.

One young person who was assisted by the SAP was 16-year-old Whitney Wright from Mountsorrel.

She said: