A NEW advice and information service has been launched in Bridgwater to tackle high rates of homelessness among young people.

Bridgwater YMCA and Sedgemoor District Council have teamed up to open housing drop-in centre Routes in St Mary's Street, which will cater for 16 to 24-year-olds.

Housing advisors, housing benefit officers, and a YMCA housing and support service worker will be on hand to give advice on applying for YMCA services, the Nightstop scheme, family mediation, supported accommodation, the Tenant Accreditation scheme, and Tenancy Liaison and Support scheme.

Jerry Milton, Sedgemoor District Council's housing advice manager, said young people accounted for more than 60% of homeless applications in the district, but most chose to ask for help from colleges, friends, or youth services because they did not feel comfortable going to the council.

He told the Mercury: “This is the first time these services and initiatives will be available under one roof, providing young people with a holistic solution to their housing problems in a less formal setting.”

Martin Hodgson, Bridgwater YMCA chief executive, said the project had been well received and some young people even said they wished it had been available when they had a housing crisis.

“This is a fantastic example of how the local authority can team up with a charity to help deliver services and ensure that those people who are at their most vulnerable get the right advice to support them in finding a safe a sustainable place to live”, he said.

“Housing is one of the most important building blocks to the success of the young people of Sedgemoor.”