AN organisation supporting young people facing homelessness across Herefordshire has been told part of its service will be de-commissioned.

Herefordshire Council's Cabinet yesterday agreed to the remodelling of its young persons' housing contract which means SHYPP (Supported Housing for Young Persons Project)'s 'floating support' element, which focuses on giving youngsters help in their own communities to stop them becoming homeless, will be affected.

Before the meeting, dozens of those who have benefitted from SHYPP gathered outside Hereford Shirehall to hand a 2,000 signature petition against the cuts to the council's deputy leader, Cllr Patricia Morgan.

The service will now look to find alternative funding, although it has been granted almost £80,000 in transitional costs to cover the 12-month period until the floating support element is de-commissioned at the end of next March.

Cabinet also voted to remodel the accommodation-based support element of the contract – which provides support to 30 young people – using exempt rents to maintain the existing service.

"I expected it to be voted through," said Alicia Lawrence, project manager at SHYPP which is based on Berrington Street.

"We are grateful they will provide us with the transitional funding but obviously it's disappointing the floating element is being de-commissioned."

She said she was frustrated that part of SHYPP was described as a "signposting service" by Martin Samuels, the council's director for adults and wellbeing.

"That's not what we are at all," she said.

"I'm also disappointed our counter-proposal, which would have included a more gradual cut in the funding, was not considered. It would have still allowed the council to make £200,000 in savings in Year Two."

She said young people struggling in their own tenancies, or young parents facing the complexities of benefits and struggling with housing, would be affected.

The council says the 12-month transitional period will "ensure the needs of the most vulnerable young people supported by SHYPP will continue to be met over the longer term".

The Hereford Times has previously reported how discussions had been ongoing between SHYPP and the council regarding proposed cuts.

The Cabinet decision is forecast to save the council £260,000 per annum from the current contract costs of £392,400.