THERE are concerns that the closure of the city’s YMCA hostel could create a ‘homeless problem’.

The YMCA has not yet explained what will happen to the people staying at its centre in Henwick Road, Worcester.

The charity plans to build new homes, in partnership with Sanctuary Housing, at the old Sansome Walk swimming pool site, although this will not cater for homeless people.

The Henwick Road YMCA is due to close by December 2019 and some are now asking whether the city will lose the homeless accommodation it currently provides.

Jonathan Sutton, CEO of St Paul’s Hostel, said: “There is this unanswered question.

“We need to understand if there’s a gap in provision across the city how we will address that.

“This should not just be seen as a planning problem, the move could also be a homeless problem.”

Ross Webber, who helps to run a homeless night shelter in the city, is also calling on the council to shed light on the future of the ‘No Second Night Out’ emergency accommodation programme.

The service currently runs at the YMCA’s Worcester centre and it is not clear where it will go when the hostel closes.

A spokesman for the charity said it plans to work with the council to ensure the housing needs of the people living at its Henwick Road hostel continue to be met.

As part of the new development, the YMCA hopes to build 76 ‘accommodation units’, for people aged between 18 and 35, while Sanctuary Housing plans to construct 22 shared ownership houses.

The YMCA also hopes to create a business hub.

Residents have launched a campaign against the project, raising concerns about the high number of ‘accommodation units’.

Worcester City Council said a public consultation is expected to take place over the summer, prior to a planning application.

A spokesman confirmed the council is finalising the sale of the site and said it has a legal duty to obtain the best price possible when selling public land.