A homelessness charity has won an award for its scheme to help disadvantaged young people into private housing.

CAYSH was crowned private rented champion by Crisis, a national charity for single homeless people.

The scheme, funded with £10.8m from the Department for Communities and Local Government, has halped 159 people in Croydon find safe accommodation over the last two years.

Leslie Morphy, chief executive of Crisis, said: “Homeless people really struggle to overcome so many hurdles when trying to find a decent place to call home. 

"The work of schemes like CAYSH in Croydon is crucial. Crisis is really pleased to acknowledge their efforts through this Champions award.”

Kathryn Uche, chief executive of CAYSH in Croydon, said: “We are extremely proud to have supported more than 150 people into safe, decent housing since 2010 and are honoured to have been chosen as a private renting champion by Crisis.

"We hope we will be able to help other schemes improve their success rates so that more vulnerable people can be helped to avoid becoming homeless.”

The award means CAYSH will now give guidance to other projects on finding houses for homeless people in the private rented sector.