Welcome to Open Homes!

Homelessness is a traumatic experience and can lead to further harms and exploitation. It is vital to prevent that first night on the streets.

‘The longer someone stays on the street, the greater the risk that they will be trapped without secure accommodation long term. Preventing a young person’s first night homeless is important’ from Action for Children

Open Homes is a charity that helps provide accommodation for 16-25 year olds who are homeless or living in inappropriate accommodation. We believe that early intervention in a crisis situation has significant and lasting positive impact in the life of a young person. Stopping a downward spiral of homelessness is key to preventing further harms associated with rough sleeping and sofa surfing. Being able to stay in a safe environment is a basic human need and if that need is met then health, education and employment can also be sustained, allowing the young person to find their way out of homelessness.

Our main project currently is Nottingham Nightstop, which provides emergency accommodation in the homes of trained volunteer hosts. We also have a Supported Lodgings project for longer term accommodation.

Open Homes will support each young person until they find suitable longer term accommodation and continue to engage with their referral agency. It endeavours to keep young people in education or employment while they are looking for somewhere to live.

Open Homes supports young people regardless of ethnicity, sexuality, gender, emigration status or faith. Young people aged between 16 and 25 can get a referral to Open Homes for emergency accommodation from

Housing Aid, Broxtowe Youth Homelessness, Nottingham Refugee Council, Women’s Aid, Redthread, Gedling Borough Council, Broxtowe Borough  Council, Citizens Advice, Police, Social Care