Member Article

Funding boost for Newcastleâ??s homeless

An innovative programme aimed at breaking the cycle of homelessness in Newcastle has been given a boost after the Government’s Places of Change programme approved £500,000 of funding.

The grant application, put forward by Newcastle City Council on behalf of Byker Bridge Housing Association, will be used to open an enterprise, activity and training centre to directly impact on the causes of homelessness.

It is hoped that this will in turn release more space in BBHA’s hostel by those successfully breaking the homelessness cycle and moving on.

Chief Executive of BBHA, Maurice Condie said: “Sadly, even in 2008 homelessness is a problem. Our figures show that over 50% of those leaving supported housing and 70% of those leaving hostels, leave in an unplanned way and are at risk of returning to the streets and sleeping rough.

“The new training centre will prepare these people instead to ensure this doesn’t happen and that the only people living in hostels are those that need to be there and those that leave don’t need to come back.”

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This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .