8 April 2008
THE number of people sleeping rough in Harrogate is set to fall following the pioneering Harrogate Homeless Project being awarded £66,000 from the Government's Places of Change Programme.
As well as making physical improvements to the homeless hostel on Bower Street in Harrogate, this funding will enable the project to extend its outreach service and drop in centre, which is the only one of its kind in the town.
This project is one of just four in the Yorkshire and Humber Region to benefit from £70m allocated to 69 homeless projects across England.
The aim of the Places of Change Programme is to make sure that those getting hostel-accommodation are also supported and encouraged to find employment.
Liz Hancock, Manager of the Harrogate Homeless Project, is over the moon that their application has been successful.
"Our bid demonstrated how we would work to increase the number of clients positively moving on to independent or more appropriate supported accommodation.
We also want to get them into education and employment to help them become self-sufficient and not end up back on the streets.
This money also means that we can offer more help with the practical needs of someone who is homeless, including hot meals, personal hygiene and laundry facilities."
Liz added that she is grateful to the invaluable volunteers who support the Harrogate Homeless Project with over 4,400 hours of time given in an average year.
Liz also thanked Jo Kilburn, Harrogate Borough Council's Housing Strategy Officer, for the help she provided in bidding for this money.
ENDS
NOTE TO EDITORS:
The Harrogate Homeless Project is an independent charity set up in 1991 by a group of volunteers from Churches Together in Harrogate.
It has evolved to meet the changing needs of Harrogate's homeless people.
The project has an emergency night hostel accommodation in Bower Road as well as a number of bedsits in the adjoining building.
Both buildings are rented from Harrogate Borough Council at a peppercorn rent.
As well as offering accommodation in the night shelter to over 100 people each year, the drop-centre currently caters for up to 12 each day.
The project has five full time staff, four part-time as well as the support of over 40 volunteers.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
is available from Liz Hancock on 01423 566900.