Planning permission has been granted for a new homeless hostel to be built in Hitchin. 

The charity One YMCA has been given the green light by North Herts Council to build a 21-bed hostel on Nightingale Road for young adults, aged 18 to 25, with high needs.

The existing hostel, North Herts Sanctuary, which provided dormitory-style accommodation for 17 people prior to the pandemic, will be demolished.

In a statement, One YMCA says the new hostel will offer medium-high support in self-contained accommodation, that "offers a safe space for young people facing multiple disadvantages, from mental health and learning disability issues, to a history of being in care and sometimes prison".

The charity said: "Our analysis suggests there is a cohort of at least 20 young people a year in North Herts who are vulnerable and at risk of rough sleeping and whose needs are not currently met.

"These vulnerable young people have typically dropped off the existing pathway because of lack of suitable support and associated inappropriate behaviours."

Bedrooms, which will all be ensuite, will be single occupancy only. "Shared accommodation is not appropriate for this client group due to their high/complex support needs," One YMCA explained.

On the ground floor, a range of facilities will be provided for residents, including a lounge area, laundry facilities and counselling rooms.

Support will be provided to residents, such as counselling and domestic abuse and sexual violence support, to prepare residents for independent living.

"The overall principle and function of the service is to support residents to identify, address and overcome any barriers or trauma that may be preventing them from progressing towards independence," the One YMCA statement says.

The charity adds that support includes "mental health, wellbeing, money management, tenancy awareness and vocational skill set training, and often extends to include day trips, fitness activities and seasonal engagement events."

Wraparound tailored support by onsite staff will be provided to support residents along the pathway, including help with accessing and engaging with external specialist support.

One YMCA said: "Progression along the pathway is important and the new scheme will act as a feeder site to other YMCA stepdown/move-on units, so residents are able to move closer to independent living."