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Leeds city centre homeless hostel to close
FORCED TO CLOSE: Lee Clegg, left, 19 and Adam Henderson,17, outside Ladybeck House, Ladybeck Close. PIC: Simon Hulme
More than 40 people will be uprooted next month when a homeless hostel run by a charity closes its doors.
Ladybeck House Hostel on Ladybeck Close will shut on March 4 after Leeds City Council deemed it ‘no longer fit for purpose’.
The 42-bed hostel in the Eastgate area of the city provides short-term emergency housing for homeless people aged 16 to 65 years old.
Lee Clegg, 19, moved to the hostel five months ago with cousin Adam Henderson, 17, following a family dispute.
Lee, from Tingley, said: “I don’t know what I’m going to do after it closes.
“Places like this are good – it’s kept a roof over my head.”
The council said a review of the needs and demands for homeless services in the city showed people preferred self-contained accommodation rather than hostels.
Coun Peter Gruen, Leeds City Council executive board member with responsibility for neighbourhoods and housing, said: “We have decided to close Ladybeck Hostel, along with a gradual reduction in hostels across Leeds in the future.
“Hostels are no longer a popular option. Although they can often solve an immediate housing need, people feel temporary self-contained accommodation has a better, longer term outcome.”
He added that direct access hostel services will still be available while the council looks at a more effective homeless service.
Riverside English Churches Housing Group (ECHG) owns Ladybeck House Hostel.
Area manager Norma Harris said: “The economic climate is extremely tough for local authorities and their housing providers.
“Following the withdrawal of Supporting People funding by the local authority, our Ladybeck House homelessness service will sadly have to close.”
Riverside ECHG will continue its services at Bracken Court in Lower Wortley and its Floating Support Service but Ladybeck House Hostel will be turned into flats.
Admissions will gradually be reduced before it closes.
For housing and homelessness advice, call Leeds Housing Options Service on 0113 222 4412.
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