A YOUNG persons' charity in Blackburn is appealing for householders with spare bedrooms to take in young people without a home.

YPASS -- Young People's Accommodation Support Services -- is making the plea because of a shortage of sheltered accommodation throughout Blackburn with Darwen for 16 to 18-year-olds who leave home with nowhere to go.

Cath Norris, project co-ordinator at St Mary's House on Cathedral Close, where YPASS is based, said: "This is a far better and safer option than putting them in a hostel, or bed and breakfast accommodation, or even worse having them sleeping rough.

"The young person can be someone who has temporarily fallen out with their parents, or someone with a step parent they don't get on with, and maybe there has been violence in the home. They may have come through the care system and been fostered or been in a young people's home. The support the householder could provide can range from helping them get to a training appointment on time to offering a shoulder to cry on."

According to YPASS, 86 per cent of young homeless people are forced to leave home because of violence, abuse and family breakdown. This is backed up by a Children's Society report which yesterday revealed the plight of so-called "disposable" children. They said up to 15,000 youngsters in the UK are forced out of home every year because of abuse and neglect. As of December 2003, there were 124 households classed as homeless throughout Blackburn with Darwen. YPASS made a similar appeal last year and, as a result, eight young people were welcomed into homes across Blackburn with Darwen.

If a family or couple want to take in a young person, they fill out an application form and undergo a police check, but Cath stressed the selection process is informal.

"We meet with the householder a few times, and really get to know them and find out what they have to offer. We want people who will make the person feel welcome and treat them not as a lodger, but as a member of the family."

Ray and Maureen, a retired couple who took part in the scheme, said: "It was not all sweetness and roses but, with a bit of time and effort, it can be very rewarding. As far as we are concerned, Matthew will always be part of our family."

Matthew, a 17-year-old who was housed by YPASS, said: "I was living in a B&B and not doing very well. At 17 it just felt like too much to handle, I could feel myself really going down hill. After moving into supported lodgings I started to settle down, they helped me fill in forms, sort out my money and get things ready for my new flat. I am now doing really well for myself."

The YPASS scheme is Government funded through the Blackburn Diocesan Board for Social Responsibility, and the householder gets an allowance to support the young person, who can then be enrolled on various training courses. For more information contact YPASS on 01254 675872.