Projects to tackle youth homelessness announced by Julie James

21 Aug 2019 11:17 AM

Housing Minister Julie James has announced 26 projects to tackle homelessness among young people with £3.4 million of Welsh Government funding.

Projects across Wales are set to benefit. Projects to be funded include: 

• over £88,000 for a Youth Housing First project in Bridgend run by Caer Las and Bridgend County Council
• Cymdeithas Gofal will receive £79,000 to deliver a Housing First project for young people in Ceredigion
• Anglesey County Council and Digartref Cyf will receive more than £54,000 to work with the private sector to provide accommodation for young people who are ready move into independent living
• Dewis will receive over £42,000 to provide housing for young people who are vulnerable because of disability, care leavers, or who have been in the youth justice system in Neath
• Llamau, Swansea and Rhondda Cynon Taf Councils will receive over £333,000 to develop Housing First for Youth schemes
• in Caerphilly and Torfaen, Llamau will provide supported lodgings for homeless young people with over £84,000 of funding
• over £188,000 for Powys County Council to provide intensive support and Housing First approaches for young people
• Parc Prison and Pobl will receive more than £109,000 to find accommodation and to provide support for young vulnerable people leaving prison

Julie James yesterday said:

I want to prevent people from ever experiencing homelessness, but where it does occur I want it to be rare, brief and non-recurrent. For young people, insecure housing can mean a future which is bleak, unjust and lacking in opportunity.

These projects are innovative approaches to preventing and solving youth homelessness, dealing with the causes and ensuring that the right support is in place when it is needed.

This isn’t just about providing a roof, it’s about giving young people a home.

The projects are supported by the Welsh Government’s £4.8 million Youth Homelessness Innovation Fund, part of £10 million announced by the previous First Minister Carwyn Jones to tackle youth homelessness.