200 homeless are kept off the street

MORE than 200 young people were given help to stay off the streets in 2006. The NCH Guernsey Youth Housing Project helped them to return home or find somewhere else to live.

Manager Shane de Carteret said people would often turn to the charity when all other options had run out.

'We can provide emergency accommodation on a very short-term basis, for one to three nights,' he said.

'Then we try and gauge their level of homelessness, how they have come to be where they are and where they want to be.'

The charity runs some flats provided by the Housing Department designed for young people to get used to living on their own and supporting themselves.

But they are let only to those who want to work with NCH towards independence.

Mr de Carteret emphasised that the organisation was not encouraging young people to move out of home.

Of the 220 who went through its doors last year, 150 have returned to live with their families or have been helped to find other secure accommodation.

'One of the first things we try to do is reconnect with their family,' he said.

'Even if they're 18 or 19, there's still a link there - we encourage families to use their strengths as well.'

The age of people it has helped ranged from 15 to 25. Some were just looking for support, others were drifting between friends and others were dealing with an emergency situation. There was also a 50/50 gender split.

'That surprised me because when we set it up we thought it would be mainly boys,' said Mr de Carteret.

The charity also offers support for drug and alcohol problems.

'When people come to us, it may start off as an accommodation issue, but then other issues can come out as well,' he said.

'We would rather young people came by choice than be sent.'

The NCH receives funding from the States and is part of the corporate housing programme.

'We are very pleased with the programme and the progress it has made,' said Housing minister Dave Jones.

'It is something we are keen to nurture and support. We believe it has been a real help to people with housing and other problems.'

* The NCH is opposite St James in St Peter Port. It can be contacted on 700218.