A hostel currently housing Kosovan refugees looks set to become the latest weapon in the fight against homelessness in York.

The use of the Howe Hill Hostel, in Holgate, as a shelter for the homeless is expected to be backed by planners to help stem the flow of homelessness in the city which has risen by 40 per cent during the last year.

It is thought that the hostel will be needed for refugees until the end of June, but, at the outside, by the end of August.

City of York Council wants to use the hostel to reduce the use of bed and breakfast accommodation in the city by homeless people.

It said that the cost of bed and breakfast is high, with the average costs per family at £180 a week, of which only £62 is met by housing benefit subsidy.

In addition, it said, the standard of housing that bed and breakfast offers, particularly to families with children, was "less than satisfactory".

The increase in use of bed and breakfast accommodation is expected to lead to an overspend of £47,000 this year.

Meanwhile, the council is anticipating further homelessness problems with fears that 28 homes used as temporary accommodation in Acomb currently leased by the Ministry of Defence could no longer be available after June.

The council said that about 13 households could be accommodated in the Howe Hill Hostel at a cost of £25,000 in a full year to the council.

Housing the same number of families in bed breakfast would cost £80,000.

The hostel would provide better accommodation than bed and breakfast, the council said, though kitchens and bathrooms would be shared.

Officers are recommending that planners approve the scheme, which would make Howe Hill the latest homeless hostel in York, following on from the Bullnose Building, near the National Railway Museum, which opened last month.

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