THE battle is on to prevent a new generation of rough sleepers emerging in York.

The Rough Sleepers Strategy Group - City of York Council, Peasholme Charity, Arc Light, The Salvation Army and Future Prospects - has been working to ensure that people have alternatives to sleeping rough in York.

The number of homeless applications in York has increased over the past six years, although that number is expected to stabilise. There are currently an estimated 420 homeless people in York.

However, current estimates show that just one person is sleeping rough in the city, down from 14 in October 2003 and four in July 2004.

Achievements of the strategy include turning the Arc Light Night Shelter into a 24 hour hostel and the opening of two long term drinkers' houses at Melbourne Street and Orwin House.

Now plans are being put in place to build on that work and prevent a new generation of rough sleepers emerging, while continuing to provide a safety net for those who still want to sleep rough.

The Rough Sleepers Strategy 2002-4 has been reviewed and updated to set out plans for 2005-8.

Priorities in the new strategy include:

Ensuring that rough sleeping in York remains as close to zero as possible

Preventing a new generation of rough sleepers (primarily young people and/or drug users. Care leavers or those who have had contact with children's services)

Providing a resettlement service which meets the needs of customers and prepares them for independent living.

The strategy will be discussed by the executive member for housing, Councillor Sue Sunderland, and her advisory committee at a meeting on Monday, when Coun Sunderland will be asked to ratify the strategy

The report to members states that City of York Council achieved the national target to reduce rough sleeping by two thirds by 2002.

It continues: "Although we have met the target to reduce rough sleeping, there remains a significant challenge in preventing a new generation of rough sleepers.

"At the same time we must continue to work with the former generation of rough sleepers, enabling them to rebuild their lives and sustain suitable stable accommodation, and become active equal members of the community."

The report also states that pressures on housing in York are exacerbated by the excess demand for affordable accommodation, with property prices at an all-time high.

It states: "This combined with a low wage economy for a significant proportion of the economically-active population contribute to the high demand for affordable accommodation which itself is increasingly difficult to achieve as land prices continue to rise."

The meeting is at 5pm, on Monday, at the Guildhall, York.

Updated: 10:39 Thursday, May 05, 2005