St Mungo's hostel first to benefit through Government funding package

St Mungo's hostel first for refit through Government funding | 24dash.com - Social Housing

St Mungo's hostel first for refit through Government funding

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Publisher: Jon Land
Published: 26/04/2007 - 17:18:49 PM print version Printable version
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St Mungo's hostel first to benefit through Government funding package
St Mungo's hostel first to
benefit through Government
funding package
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Minister for the Third Sector Ed Miliband cut the ribbon today on a newly refurbished London hostel for the homeless - the first of 150 centres across the country to be improved through a Government funding package.

The St Mungo's Cromwell Road hostel was revamped with money from the Department of Communities and Local Government's Hostels Capital Improvement Programme.

Under the initiative £90 million will be invested in improvements to 150 hostels and day centres by March 2008.

Residents of the Cromwell Road hostel - which now accommodates 52 homeless men and two couples - were involved in every stage of the project and even helped to interview new staff.

The hostel supports residents as they rebuild their self-esteem and aspirations and helps them to move on with their lives.

Re-opening the building today, Mr Miliband said: "St Mungo's do incredible work with homeless people and this state-of-the-art hostel will prove the vital stepping stone for many vulnerable adults looking to turn their lives around.

"By involving residents in the redesign of their own hostel, St Mungo's have created a powerful demonstration that the best public services need to place the views of those who use them at their heart."

Charles Fraser, chief executive of St Mungo's, added: "We are very proud of the work being carried out at our Cromwell Road hostel.

"St Mungo's work is all about enabling our clients to eventually leave our services.

"Our hostels provide a safe place where homeless people can get the healthcare they need and take the first steps on the road to employment and independent living."

Speaking about the Government's bid to improve hostels nationwide, Minister for Housing and Planning, Yvette Cooper, said: "This investment is making hostels places where homeless people can rebuild their lives and make a permanent move away from the street."

Councillor Fiona Buxton, Kensington and Chelsea Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: "Our aim has always been to sustain independence and to help people change their lives.

"Not everyone is equipped to cope with life changing traumas and social exclusion such as rough sleeping, begging and street drinking can often be the result.

"Working in partnership we have been able to bring new life to this hostel and empower vulnerable adults to make life-changing decisions. This really is a great place for residents to start to rebuild their lives and focus on developing life skills, completing training and gaining employment."

The council provides £790,000 funding a year to pay for support services at the hostel.