DUDLEY Council was approached by more than 500 young people presenting as homeless or at risk of losing their home during the last financial year.

Councils across the country have a duty to support people at risk of homelessness by assessing their needs to determine what action to take.

In Dudley, the local authority was approached by 551 people under 25 seeking support in 2023-24. The council says all of those facing difficulties were assessed and advised on help available, with 179 offered specialist help and advice.

The council has shared the figures following publication of research by youth housing and homelessness charity Centrepoint and WPI Economics which has shone a spotlight on the failure of some local authorities to carry out their homeless assessment duties.

The organisations analysed available data to try to work out how much money councils would need to help them cover the costs associated with assessment and support. In cases where data was incomplete estimates were calculated.

In light of the research, Dudley Council has shared its latest figures with the News and has stressed that all young people at risk of homelessness who approached the local authority were assessed in the last financial year.

Kathryn Jones, director of housing at Dudley Council, said: “As a council we have a duty to support people in our borough who are homeless or at risk of losing their home.

“We assess every individual who approaches the council to determine the appropriate course of action.

“In the last financial year, we were approached by 551 people under the age of 25 who needed support. All 551 young people were assessed and advised on the help available to them based on their circumstances. This could include advice on housing options, mediation in cases where there is a relationship breakdown, referrals to supported housing or help to secure accommodation.

“Of the 551, 179 were offered specialist support through our youth hub. The hub helps people under the age of 25 and can provide immediate support and advice on housing and benefits in emergency situations as well as continued support with help into employment and furnishing and maintaining tenancies.

“We also work closely with the alliance partnership in Dudley borough, a collaboration of services which can offer additional support to those with complex needs.

“This can range from help into supported housing and access to emergency accommodation as well as help with managing finances, learning to cook and getting into education, training or employment.”

Anyone in the Dudley borough, aged 18 to 24, who is worried about losing their home or wanting to know more about housing options can get advice at the Project First Step Youth Hub at Dudley Council Plus.

The hub team comprises trained staff able to give advice about housing and homelessness as well as offering help with things like benefits, money issues and more. All services are available on a drop in basis.

Help and advice is also available from St Basils - stbasils.org.uk/ - and from the YMCA - ymca.org.uk