Charity needs more hosts especially in the Lothians

An Edinburgh homelessness charity is looking for more host families to take in young people as the cost-of-living soars.

The Rock Trust says increasing costs is leading to more young people becoming homeless.

It supports young homeless people or those at risk of homelessness aged 16-25,

It runs an emergency accommodation service called Nightstop which aims to protect young homeless people from abuse in alternative accommodation.

Hosts provide a spare room, meals and support to a young person who urgently needs a safe place to stay short term.

The alternative option for homeless youth is council-funded bed and breakfast lodgings.

Moreen Watson, Nightstop development co-ordinator for Rock Trust, says the cost of living crisis may lead to demand far outweighing its supply of safe accommodation.

She said the charity "urgently" needed more volunteer hosts to ensure the safety of at-risk young people.

Watson said the cost of living crisis was "putting more and more strain on families and the main reason that young people find themselves homeless is relationship breakdown."

She added: "I think this is just going to compound things even more, as people struggling financially and being unable to cope can lead to all kinds of issues at home."

Gordon Cameron has hosted seven young people for Nightstop over two-and-a-half years.

The alternative option for homeless youth would be a council-funded bed and breakfast.

Mr Cameron said: "Generally, those are used for a variety of different people, perhaps someone who's just been released after being sentenced or someone who has addiction problems.

"And generally they're a lot older than someone like Niamh who was still at school, so putting her in that environment could be detrimental.

"This gives the council a chance to assess the individual properly and find the best possible place for them when they leave here."