PEOPLE leaving prison are being left on the streets of York with nowhere to live, a probation worker has warned councillors.

Probation workers can no longer reserve a bed in a hostel for people being released from prison, meaning they are often left to sofa surf or sleep on the streets until space can be found in a hostel.

Probation worker John Littler spoke at a City of York health and housing scrutiny committee meeting to tell councillors of the problems.

When people are “emerging from prison with nowhere to go” that adds not only to the number of people sleeping rough, Mr Littler said, but also to crime and anti-social behaviour - not all of which comes to the attention of the police.

He added: “It’s very difficult to do the rest of our job - like addressing why people offend - if they haven’t got the basics like a roof over their head.”

The committee was discussing City of York’s draft homeless strategy, which sets out to tackle homelessness including rough sleeping.

Becky Ward, housing service manager, said the authority cannot keep beds waiting for prisoners to be released when other people are sleeping rough and waiting for a bed.

She said when new temporary accommodation at James House is ready that could free up 12 units at Howe Hill to be used as emergency hostel accommodation.

However, since Southview hostel on Boroughbridge Road became a specialist “nationally approved premise” - or bail hostel - people are being sent to it from all over the country.

While some people in York could be suitable for that accommodation, Ms Ward said, offenders from elsewhere may be seen as in greater need.

“We also have the issue that we are repeatedly asked by Southview whether we will take people with no local connection, which puts on more pressure.”