YORK charities fear they will be made "homeless" when their valuable city centre premises are sold off.

The York Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) is to sell its Community House offices to pay for the redevelopment of another of its properties.

But the sale will mean the current tenants - including York and District Mind, and the York Race Equality Network - will be forced to move elsewhere.

The CVS officially served notice on the voluntary organisations just before Christmas, giving them six months to find new homes.

A number of organisations have already left Community House since the idea of selling it was proposed about two years ago. Victim Support North Yorkshire and York and Harrogate Relate both moved out over Christmas, and York and District Mencap has also left. Only York and District Mind, the York Race Equality Network, Survive (York Women Survivors of Sexual Abuse) and the Women's Counselling Service remain today.

Money raised from the sale of the Community House building at 8-10 Priory Street will be used to fund a £1.2 million redevelopment of the CVS's nearby Priory Street Centre - but it is not thought that space will be available for the displaced charities to relocate there.

The CVS offers advice, training and support to local voluntary organisations and community groups.

Chief executive Colin Stroud said: "We had hoped that we could avoid the sale of Community House before completing the new Priory Street Centre, but that was simply not feasible.

"We regret the difficulties and anxiety that this has caused the organisations in the building, but we will do our best to help the smaller ones and, with only one or two exceptions, most organisations understand what we are trying to achieve.

"Raising the additional capital to complete the work will be an enormous challenge. We hope to get a good price for Community House, which will give us a flying start, but we shall also be approaching private and public funders to help us complete a centre that York can be proud of."

Rebecca Rea, chief executive of York and District Mind, said she was disappointed at having to move, and concerned that finding a new base would prove difficult.

She said: "We are very reluctant to go, and it has been sad to see so many charities made homeless. We would definitely rather that the CVS were not selling the place.

"Affordable accommodation for charities in York is very scarce. We have minimal financial resources, and the risks involved in taking on a commercial lease are extremely high for a charity."

The charity, which supports people in mental and emotional distress, appealed for help in finding new offices for its 22 staff and volunteers.

Rebecca said: "Despite the challenge we are now facing we are determined to continue as we have done for over 40 years. If anyone knows of premises that might be suitable for us then we would love to hear from them."

York and District Mind can be contacted on 01904 647014.

Updated: 10:09 Friday, January 07, 2005