City shelter for rough sleepers

VULNERABLE WILL BE ABLE TO GET SPECIALIST SUPPORT

Communities Secretary James Brokenshire said yesterday no one should have to face a night on the streets in Derby A NEW shelter for rough sleepers is to open in Derby city centre next year.

Vulnerable people will be able to get specialist support by visiting the centre, which is expected to open by spring.

While a venue has not yet been announced, the hub will be located in a building close to the city centre.

It will be run by Derby City Mission, which coordinates and delivers the night shelters within the city, and Derventio Housing Trust, which will help rehouse users.

The Government is provisionally investing up to £283,300 into the initiative, which was announced yesterday by Communities Secretary James Brokenshire.

He said: “No one should ever have to face a night on the streets. The new centre announced today will mean vulnerable people sleeping rough in Derby will have somewhere safe to stay while they recover from life on the streets.

“These are vulnerable people, often dealing with complex mental health problems and addictions, requiring specialist help to truly tackle these issues head on and turn their lives around. That’s why these vital new hubs will ensure those on the streets have access to professional help and guidance to start their recovery.” The centre will provide immediate shelter and rapid assessment for those sleeping rough or at risk of doing so. It will also offer immediate housing advice and homelessness assistance to those at risk or are currently rough sleeping, as well as specialist support to address those with complex needs such as mental health problems and substance misuse.

The new Somewhere Safe to Stay centre will be one of 11 set up across the country as part of the Government’s Rapid Rehousing Pathway.

A similar shelter will be launched in nearby Nottingham.

An estimated 6,000 people are expected to receive support through the hubs across the country by 2020. The Derby Telegraph contacted Derby City Mission to find out where the shelter would be set up, but it could not disclose information about the venue at this time.

Further information regarding the shelter, including the venue, will be announced at a later date.

Vulnerable people sleeping rough in Derby will have somewhere safe to stay.

James Brokenshire