BEXLEY residents are being urged to open their spare bedrooms to provide a home for a homeless young person.
Between 2011 and 2012, 120 16-24 year olds were accepted as homeless in the borough and a homeless charity wants to help them with a new scheme.
Centrepoint is calling for people to provide a safe, friendly environment where a vulnerable young person can learn life skills under its Supported Lodgings scheme.
Hosts will be trained to foster-care standard and after being matched with a homeless young person aged 16-25, placements will last for between three months and two years.
As well as support from Centrepoint, the host will receive £50 weekly to cover household costs and Local Housing Allowance for a single room in their area.
Seyi Obakin, CEO of Centrepoint, said: “The support, encouragement, and life skills gained from living with a host in a stable family environment, will provide a stepping stone out of homelessness and on to independent living.
“It won’t be a suitable option for all the vulnerable young people we work with and cannot replace supported accommodation for those with additional needs, but for the young people and hosts that do take part the impact will be life-changing.”
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