Community Hosts scheme looks to rescue homeless black teens

The organisation is teaming up with Lambeth Council to ask the borough's black and minority ethnic community to open their homes to young black homeless people aged 16 to 18, as part of its Community Hosts scheme.

The one-year pilot project starts in March, and aims to give young people a better place to live than a hostel or bed and breakfast accommodation, and to create an alternative to crime. The scheme is backed by £100,000 from the Communities and Local Government department, Lambeth's housing service and Lambeth Supporting People.

The "host" families will provide a room in their homes for black teenagers at risk of homelessness and will help them to avoid a range of serious problems, such as becoming involved in crime.

Bernadette Keane, manager of the Community Hosts scheme, said the project would involve young people in family life. "We hope it will reduce gun crime because if we have peoplegoing through the right pathsit's likely to have an effect," shesaid.

"There are lots of vulnerable young people in Lambeth who are in hostels that are not suitable. You can learn bad things in hostels, and you have to be strong to avoid the criminal aspects, such as drugs. We want a homely environment and for the community to be involved in looking after young people."

A spokesman for housing charity Shelter welcomed the project, saying he believed the scheme was the first to offer support to such a specific group of people.

South London YMCA is looking for 15 adults to be community hosts and will train them to provide practical support and accommodation to a young person in their home. It is holding two open evenings for adults interested in taking part in the scheme, on 1 and 8 November.

For more details email ada.aruoma@southlondonymca.org.uk.