Hostel accommodation
Only a small percentage of homeless people sleep rough and local authorities only have a duty to house those who meet the strict criteria. Many other single homeless people stay in hostels all over the country - there are currently over 50,000 bed spaces in hostels for single homeless people in England alone[1].
Whilst homeless people of all ages use hostels, the type of hostel used depends to a great extent on what is provided locally. There are hostels that are aimed at rough sleepers, young people, women, or heavy drinkers, while others are general hostels for people of all ages and problems.
Some hostels are ‘direct-access' or ‘first stage' accommodation, which you might use having been referred by a day centre or outreach team and might stay in until you are resettled in more permanent accommodation or referred to specialist schemes, for people with mental health or substance misuse problems, for example. These ‘second stage' accommodation projects focus more on rehabilitation and resettlement.
Many hostels offer excellent services, others are little more than a temporary respite from the streets.
Average wait to move on is 6-12 months
Not all hostels are able to be accessed immediately and increasingly many have particular requirements such as support needs or local connection.
Some hostels have waiting lists. This is caused, at least in part, by the fact that 45% of hostel residents are ready and waiting to move-on but lack a suitable housing option.
In over 10% of hostels people are waiting over two years to move on. The average wait to move on is six months to one year. If people stay in hostels for too long, there is a danger that they will become institutionalised and find it harder to make the transition to independent living.
[1] Homeless Link (2009) Survey of Needs and Provision (SNAP)
