A new initiative to get homeless people back into work has been launched in Brighton and Hove on the south coast.

Charitable trust the Links Foundation has awarded Hove YMCA funding of £37,000 to help prepare homeless people to get a job or land education or training.

They will go through a training programme that covers money management, time management, food and nutrition and exercise and wellbeing. They will also be given assistance and advice in seeking and applying for jobs, writing CVs and interview skills.

Hove YMCA will liaise with both local employers and training providers to help counter the barriers that the homeless often face when looking for work.

David Standing, chief executive of Hove YMCA, said: “Our project seeks to reverse the prejudice that is sometimes encountered by homeless young people living in supported housing schemes and which can prevent them from becoming employed.”

Homelessness is a major problem in Brighton and Hove where house prices have exceeded the reach of many workers.

The Links Foundation was set up earlier this year by Working Links, which specialises in getting the long-term unemployed back into work.