AN emergency hostel is needed to cope with the rising tide of homelessness in Darlington.

A working group has already identified a building and is negotiating to buy, relying on raising money through trusts and other benefactors.

The Rev Dr John Elliston, chairman of Darlington Housing Action Group, said: "Homelessness in the town is a big problem with many families not as close-knit as they used to be and people as young as 14 wandering the streets and sleeping rough at night.

"But it affects the whole age spectrum and we have two women who are nearly 70."

A number of charities such as Night Stop, the 700 Club Hostel and a tenancy bond scheme operate under the action group banner with First Stop as the initial contact for many.

Dr Elliston said: "In Darlington we have 18 beds at the 700 Club hostel. Last year we received 840 requests for accomodation, but could only help just over 100 of those.

"What we desperately need is emergency accommodation but the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (OPDM) is an obstacle to finding help in addressing the issue."

"There are two major projects in Darlington already which would provide homes for some of the most vulnerable people and we can't move on.

"The local authority is completely behind them but the OPDM is blocking the money to run them."

"One is accommodation for substance misusers, with capital funding already in place, and the 700 club wants to open a second building, which is on hold for the same reason."

Last year First Stop was approached by 300 new people out of a total of 497, some who had been sleeping rough.

Bed and breakfast accommodation, provided through voluntary organisations, obscured the problem.

"At Christmas every B&B was full. I had one lad I couldn't find anything for anywhere, so he just had to stay outside. I don't want to go through another Christmas like that," said Dr Elliston, whose own Grange Road Baptist Church, supported by others, also provides over 2000 food parcels each year.

"We want something like the old Salvation Army type of hostel, fully staffed giving shelter for the evening, and, in the morning, it is a new day. It would be a boot and string - not plush - operation.

"We want people moved into permanent accommodation where their dignity is affirmed - not because it is not very nice for us to see people living rough, but because if you have nowhere to stay life is hell. It is clear that if we wait for the ODPM, we will wait for a lifetime."

He added: "Many of our schemes are desperate for help, simply to run them. We are looking for treasurers, secretaries and anyone who will bring enthusiasm to bear." Telephone Dr Elliston on 445015 if you can help.