News / homelessness
New homeless shelter to open for young people
New short-term accommodation is being opened to support young people in Bristol experiencing homelessness.
Homeless charity, Caring in Bristol, announced the news following the success of Bristol City Centre BID’s TAP for Bristol campaign.
The campaign has enabled Caring in Bristol to launch and expand its Homelessness Prevention programme, which has supported 1,187 people in Bristol so far, and raised £100,000 over its four-year lifespan.
is needed now More than ever
Now the organisation hopes to provide an innovative new solution to support Bristol’s homeless: by renovating its own office space.
The Z-House Project which has been announced to coincide with World Homeless Day on Tuesday, is supported by the Night Shelter Transformation Fund.
Money has been raised via the TAP for Bristol initiative which enables people to donate via locations across the city – photo: TAP for Bristol
The project will provide short-term accommodation for homeless young people between 18 and 25, while their move-on options are confirmed.
Z-House Project will be based in the city centre, to allow young people to use the shelter to access other service providers, public transport, and education, as well as employment opportunities, and equip them with essential skills.
The service will provide two beds for longer term use of up to three months, and two rooms for emergency short-term use.
There will also be ongoing practical support to help with key skills such as paying bills, cooking and other domestic tasks.
50 per cent of future donations raised via the TAP for Bristol initiative will provide funding for the project, while the remaining 50 per cent will continue to be available for local homeless charities to apply for.
Vicky Lee, who runs Bristol City Centre BID welcomed the move. She said: “It’s important that we acknowledge that there is a crisis of homelessness.”
“The Z-House Project will provide young people with specific, tailored support to ensure that they are provided with practical skills and opportunities while they’re in the Z-House accommodation, in order to help them find more permanent housing.”
According to housing charity Shelter, there are at least 2,967 people in Bristol experiencing homelessness in Bristol, which has the highest rate of homelessness in the South West,
And according to 1625 Independent People, a total of 1,642 young people accessed their services last year.
Caring in Bristol is calling on businesses in Bristol to get involved and support the project by sharing their ideas and spaces to provide group sessions, workshops, or training opportunities in the area.
Main photo: Caring in Bristol/Khali Ackford/KōLAB Studios
Read next:
- First ‘pods’ for homeless open
- Hope for Bristol’s young queer homeless
- Homeless prevention initiative raises £100,000 to support city’s vulnerable
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
