Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
Shropshire Housing Group's Foyer in the old Marstons Mill, Ludlow, provides 15 bedspaces in single rooms, some communal facilities and a programme of support and training for vulnerable young people aged 16-25. Five full time members of staff and an external concierge service provide 24 hour cover which is required under a contract with Shropshire Council. Following County financial cuts in 2014/15 similar closed and the Ludlow Foyer is now the only facility for under 18s in the south of the County.
Funding threats
The two principal sources of finance are Housing Benefit and a County grant from the Supporting People budget both of which are under threat.
From April 2017 will remove the automatic right to Housing Benefit of NEETS aged 18-21. This would mean the rent element of housing benefit being covered for most Foyer tenants in this age group would no longer be in place.
With effect from April 2018 a new Local Housing Allowance Cap is due to be introduced which caps rents and service charges in relation to the local housing rental market. Although this cap matches the level of Foyer rents, it will no longer cover the £146 p.w. service charge which covers the concierge, CCTV and other services to provide acceptable accommodation for vulnerable 16 to 17 year-olds. This is a loss of Housing Benefit support of £114k per annum.
A research study for DWP and DCLG on the amount of housing benefit paid to supported housing was due to report to Parliament before the Summer recess but in a debate on 20th July it was deferred until the Autumn. The key question is whether the exemption from the Local Housing Allowance Cap for supported housing will continue. If not the Foyer may close.
Supporting People Grant
The Supporting People grant from the County is currently £102 k p.a. ending in March 2017 but possibly due for renewal through a delayed tendering process. This grant covers a statutory requirement for preventive services for under 18's and intensive support for vulnerable 18-25 year olds . Funding is from the Adult Services budget and the portfolio holder is Lee Chapman, lead officer Andy Begley. In the latest Cabinet paper (13th July) overall cuts of £4,024k are proposed. Final decisions are expected in late September. If the £102k Supporting People grant is not renewed the Foyer will no longer take under 18's and services will be cut.
This petition will be sent to Shropshire Council to request that they continue to finance services for young people provided by Ludlow Foyer at the current level during 2017/18 and subsequent financial years. A paper copy of this petition, along with more information is available at the people4ludlow website
More like this
MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE!
Petition against funding cuts
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
September 5, 2016
September 2, 2016
I can see the count ticking up which is honestly wild since I was just staring at the screen wondering if anyone actually cared about the Foyer besides me and the staff. If we push just a little bit more to hit that next big milestone it will be impossible for the council to keep ignoring these emails I keep sending them.
Reached 100 supporters
September 1, 2016
120 Comments
I have worked with some of the young residents as a volunteer mentor and have seen how crucial this facility is for some very vulnerable young Shropshire residents. We can't afford to cut the Supporting People grant - it's vital!
I am 27 now and have a really good independent life due to starting my adult life at the foyer at the age of 17 when I had no one and no were to live it was a scary difficult time in my life but the foyer gave me the tools I need to set out on my own.
Looks like short sighted cuts to me - 16-25 is such a crucial age for getting your life on track and society should help those who do not automatically have enough of the right support - after all, we all pay the price for disaffected youth.
This housing support is vital for young people. If it's shuts who will help the vulnerable? Not everyone can afford private rent or are even accepted by social housing for one reason or another.
Ludlow Foyer is very much needed for the youth of both Ludlow and surrounding areas. I lived there for 18 months from the age of 17 and the help and support they gave me the whole time was fantastic and I can not thank the staff enough
I lived here for 6 months and they helped me a lot, it would be a shame to see this shut down, it is a good opportunity for young homeless people to get back on their feet.
Young people need more support than ever in our rural areas
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
Shropshire Housing Group's Foyer in the old Marstons Mill, Ludlow, provides 15 bedspaces in single rooms, some communal facilities and a programme of support and training for vulnerable young people aged 16-25. Five full time members of staff and an external concierge service provide 24 hour cover which is required under a contract with Shropshire Council. Following County financial cuts in 2014/15 similar closed and the Ludlow Foyer is now the only facility for under 18s in the south of the County.
Funding threats
The two principal sources of finance are Housing Benefit and a County grant from the Supporting People budget both of which are under threat.
From April 2017 will remove the automatic right to Housing Benefit of NEETS aged 18-21. This would mean the rent element of housing benefit being covered for most Foyer tenants in this age group would no longer be in place.
With effect from April 2018 a new Local Housing Allowance Cap is due to be introduced which caps rents and service charges in relation to the local housing rental market. Although this cap matches the level of Foyer rents, it will no longer cover the £146 p.w. service charge which covers the concierge, CCTV and other services to provide acceptable accommodation for vulnerable 16 to 17 year-olds. This is a loss of Housing Benefit support of £114k per annum.
A research study for DWP and DCLG on the amount of housing benefit paid to supported housing was due to report to Parliament before the Summer recess but in a debate on 20th July it was deferred until the Autumn. The key question is whether the exemption from the Local Housing Allowance Cap for supported housing will continue. If not the Foyer may close.
Supporting People Grant
The Supporting People grant from the County is currently £102 k p.a. ending in March 2017 but possibly due for renewal through a delayed tendering process. This grant covers a statutory requirement for preventive services for under 18's and intensive support for vulnerable 18-25 year olds . Funding is from the Adult Services budget and the portfolio holder is Lee Chapman, lead officer Andy Begley. In the latest Cabinet paper (13th July) overall cuts of £4,024k are proposed. Final decisions are expected in late September. If the £102k Supporting People grant is not renewed the Foyer will no longer take under 18's and services will be cut.
This petition will be sent to Shropshire Council to request that they continue to finance services for young people provided by Ludlow Foyer at the current level during 2017/18 and subsequent financial years. A paper copy of this petition, along with more information is available at the people4ludlow website
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
September 5, 2016
September 2, 2016
I can see the count ticking up which is honestly wild since I was just staring at the screen wondering if anyone actually cared about the Foyer besides me and the staff. If we push just a little bit more to hit that next big milestone it will be impossible for the council to keep ignoring these emails I keep sending them.
Reached 100 supporters
September 1, 2016
120 Comments
Crucial facility. What, if not this, are local councils for? Where has humanity gone? Of the Foyer goes, in the long term costs will be much higher as youn people will have lost that security and mentoring support that is so important when finding one's way.
I have worked with some of the young residents as a volunteer mentor and have seen how crucial this facility is for some very vulnerable young Shropshire residents. We can't afford to cut the Supporting People grant - it's vital!
I am 27 now and have a really good independent life due to starting my adult life at the foyer at the age of 17 when I had no one and no were to live it was a scary difficult time in my life but the foyer gave me the tools I need to set out on my own.
Looks like short sighted cuts to me - 16-25 is such a crucial age for getting your life on track and society should help those who do not automatically have enough of the right support - after all, we all pay the price for disaffected youth.
This housing support is vital for young people. If it's shuts who will help the vulnerable? Not everyone can afford private rent or are even accepted by social housing for one reason or another.
Ludlow Foyer is very much needed for the youth of both Ludlow and surrounding areas. I lived there for 18 months from the age of 17 and the help and support they gave me the whole time was fantastic and I can not thank the staff enough
I lived here for 6 months and they helped me a lot, it would be a shame to see this shut down, it is a good opportunity for young homeless people to get back on their feet.
Young people need more support than ever in our rural areas
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
Crucial facility. What, if not this, are local councils for? Where has humanity gone? Of the Foyer goes, in the long term costs will be much higher as youn people will have lost that security and mentoring support that is so important when finding one's way.