The chief executive of a Liverpool homelessness charity has admitted that a number of violent incidents at its city centre accommodation are "a concern" and "a challenge". You Matter, which rebranded from YMCA Together earlier this year, operates a 70-bed supported housing service on Leeds Street.
Recent incidents at Leeds Street
In October last year, police arrested a man after reports of an altercation involving a needle. In April, a man in his 40s was found dead inside the building, with a 55-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder. A month later, a man was stabbed in the abdomen, and the attacker left the scene.
An ECHO report from last year highlighted the area around the hostel as a hotspot for anti-social behaviour and drug use, with residents describing the problems as "relentless."
Charity's response
Ellie McNeill, chief executive of You Matter, said: "We've been in the city for 180 years. We want to be a valued part of our community, and we are, a lot of the time." She added that the service supports people with significant trauma, which can lead to anti-social behaviour.
Ms McNeill also noted that non-residents often rough sleep in the adjacent car park, knowing the building is a place of safety. The charity works with the city, police, commissioners, partner organisations, and the car park owner to reduce anti-social behaviour.
She said: "It's ongoing and continues to be an area of focus for us and it is really challenging." The charity has a 'Good Neighbour Agreement' to educate residents about anti-social behaviour, but Ms McNeill acknowledged: "I won't downplay that with a service that large, it can impact on our neighbours, absolutely."
