A homeless charity is appealing to Havering residents to offer their spare bedrooms up to a vulnerable young person.

Centrepoint launched the Supported Lodgings Scheme yesterday (Thursday), hoping that families will offer a bed and support to 16-24 year-olds who might otherwise be sleeping rough.

More than 100 youngsters from Havering were accepted as homeless in 2011 and 2012, and nationally there has been a 10 per cent rise in youth homelessness in the last three years, Centrepoint have said.

Sky Aimez-moi, 17, is homeless and helped design the scheme. He said: “Young people need options, it helps empower them. If I’d had the choice of staying in supported lodgings I’d have probably gone for it.

“Living in a home was something I was used to.”

He added: “Each young person needs different support. Being around just a few people could help a young person focus so living with hosts might be the best environment to help them grow.”

The charity wants good samaritans to provide a safe, friendly environment where a vulnerable young person can learn vital skills, such as cooking and cleaning, normally passed on by a family member.

For more information visit www.centrepoint.org.uk/supportedlodging