Winter shelter won’t open due to coronavirus

THERE will be no winter night shelter for the homeless in Merthyr Tydfil this year because of coronavirus restrictions.

The night shelter has operated from Merthyr Tydfil bus station in the town centre each winter and the council had intended to run it this year in line with its Cold Weather Plan, to accommodate up to five or six rough sleepers who cannot access B&B accommodation.

But the council has now confirmed this will not be operating this year.

A report that went before the council’s regeneration and public protection scrutiny committee in October said the Welsh Government had told the council it is unable to use its Housing Support Grant (HSG) for this and, due to Covid concerns, it is also not supportive of any night shelter operating in any area within Wales.

The report said the Welsh Government feels these services will increase the rate of transmission of Covid-19 due to there being shared facilities only, given the nature of such projects.

Instead, the council is offering temporary accommodation to rough sleepers and is receiving £1m from the Welsh Government to help permanently house its homeless population.

The council will also be working with the Pobl Housing Group, Salvation Army and Cornerstone, which support homeless people and are offering their services at all of the temporary accommodation premises across Merthyr Tydfil.

The council has agreed with Castle Hotel and Pobl for a block booking of additional rooms to replace the night shelter, with an agreement reached over security being on site 24/7.

Geraint Thomas, the council’s cabinet member for regeneration and public protection, said: “Welsh Government has informed local authorities that they must not implement or support volunteers to operate a winter night shelter this year due to hygiene and safety regulations not being able to be maintained in line with Covid-19 guidelines.

“However, we’ll be receiving around £1m Welsh Government funding to help meet the increased demand for housing by securing permanent accommodation for our homeless population.

“I would like to thank all the volunteers who have helped run the winter night shelter over the years.

“I’d particularly like to pay tribute to Andy Pitt, the minister at Park Chapel – who is moving to Newport – for all the work and support he has provided since the night shelter was first set up. We’ll miss him and wish him all the best in his new role.”