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CROYDON BECOMES CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR YOUTH HOMELESSNESS

CROYDON  was recently named as one of ten areas chosen by Communities and Local Government and the National Youth Homelessness Scheme to become a Centre of Excellence, pioneering the issue of youth homelessness and measures to prevent and tackle it. Croydon will be one of two such centres in the London region and has also been selected as a Centre of Excellence for the South East region.

Croydon was selected in recognition of the experience gained in the development of its Housing Advice Project for those aged under 25, known as HAP<25. This multi-agency scheme offers a primary point of contact for young, single homeless people in the borough and provides an integrated service including support, mediation and advice on education, training and employment. The scheme has received national recognition in the form of an Andy Ludlow runners-up award in 2005 and a commendation in the 2007 Municipal Journal awards. Since the scheme was set up in 2002/03, the figures for homelessness acceptances for 16 and 17-year-olds in the borough have fallen by 80%.

In its role as a Centre of Excellence, Croydon will share good practice through a programme of activities including shadow visits to HAP<25, capacity building and training events in other boroughs, the publication of a housing information guide to young people and a good practice conference for the region. These events will be delivered in partnership with the council's voluntary sector partner, Croydon Association for Young Single Homeless in London and alongside Milton Keynes and Crawley Council.

Councillor Dudley Mead, deputy leader and cabinet member for housing, said: "Tackling homelessness in people of all ages is a key priority of the council, but young people especially can often be confused or unaware of the options and assistance open to them and it is important to address the underlying causes, not just the symptoms.

"The success of our HAP<25 scheme speaks for itself so we are delighted to have been chosen to become a Centre of Excellence in order to share best practice with our colleagues within London and the South East."