New homeless hostel planned for Gosport
HOMELESS people and rough sleepers are set to get a bed and specialist support thanks to council plans.
Gosport Borough Council has earmarked £60,000 for the new centre that will have beds, showers and a kitchen.
The proposal was announced by Council Leader Councillor Mark Hook as part of the council's new budget.
He said: ;The council and local voluntary organisations already do a lot to help homeless people and rough sleepers.
‘But we want to provide additional resources to the most vulnerable people in society to help them get on in life.
‘The council will earmark £60,000 to help develop a new facility for homeless people in the borough, operated by us along with specialist charities.
‘It would have beds, a kitchen and showers, and be a safe place for people to stay and to get specialist support.’
People currently in need of a place to stay can access Gosport Open Doors which works to open churches as night shelters for winter.
Working alongside the council and other organisations, the project aims to provide a healthy hot dinner and breakfast and also offers a chance to rebuild trust though volunteers’ friendship.
Kevin Gallagher, the director of Caritas Diocese of Portsmouth, which is the official charity the project sits under, previously told The News: 'Everyone will eat together and talk - and those conversations will lead to discussing how we can help in the long term.
'For some of these people it will be the first proper chat they've had with someone in a very long time.’
To find out more or to volunteer visit the Gosport Open Doors Facebook group, or email [email protected].