Charity fears for funding
The chairman of a Newark housing trust has raised concerns about what would happen to young people in their care if proposed cuts went ahead.
Nottinghamshire county councillors are set to approve a new youth homelessness plan on Wednesday that would see a reduction in funding for groups like Newark Emmaus Trust.
The trust could lose a third of its county council funding. The original proposal was to cut it by nearly half.
Money would be lost for eight of its 23 bed spaces, which provide 24-hour support for young people aged 16-25, and support hours for its teenage parent service would be cut.
Trust chairman Mr Clive Morrissey said the cuts would be damaging.
“We are dealing with vulnerable young people, many of whom have high support needs,” he said.
“Some of them, coming out of care, have never known a stable home life.
“What will happen to them if the cuts go ahead? What will be the cost to society in the long run?
“The great majority of them will turn into law-abiding and useful members of society who will build normal lives for themselves and their own children in years to come.”
About 98% of the trust’s annual income comes from government money, with 42% of that channelled through the county council.
Consultation on the council’s youth homelessness strategy ended in May, with changes made based on feedback.
The council has since found an extra £462,000 to spend on supported housing for young people aged 16 to 21 over the next three years.
The chairman of its early years and youth services sub-committee, Lynn Sykes, said: “We have listened to views expressed in the consultation about the capacity of services for young people and the geographic spread of housing units across the county, as well as local intelligence we have gathered on young people’s housing needs.
“This extra cash will increase the council’s total budget for supported youth accommodation to just under £5.3m over the coming three years.
“Our vision is to improve the life chances, life changes and life choices of young people threatened with homelessness or are already homeless.”
