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Call to tackle homelessness in borough
PETITIONERS from Yiewsley have convinced Hillingdon Council to step up plans to tackle homelessness in the area.
Councillors met to discuss plans to open a winter shelter for rough sleepers after St Matthews Church expressed concerns over the number of homeless people in the area.
Last year Hillingdon Council funded a winter shelter which ran for six weeks and this year the shelter is being considered to be open for up to eight weeks.
A total of 12 homeless men were housed within the hostel last year, nine of whom were successfully rehoused into secure accommodation by the end of the project.
Petitioners at St Matthews, in Yiewsley High Street believe there should be a count of rough sleepers far more regularly than every three to five years, which is standard procedure, and good practice in boroughs where there are low numbers of rough sleepers.
The last street count took place in November 2007 with t10 people found, but in response to the concerns raised, another street count has been taking place over the last week in the borough.
The winter shelter will provide food and shelter across the cold winter months, and volunteers are needed to get involved with the project.
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This winter's night shelter will run from 12 January – 8 March and will once again be based at St. Andrew’s Church hall in Uxbridge.
It will provide bed spaces for up to eight rough sleepers each night during the coldest weeks of the year.
The shelter will need volunteers to help out over the weeks it is open and is also looking for support from local businesses.
If you can help out in any way, please email me on gdonnelly@hillingdon.gov.uk or call 01895 556935.
Gillian Donnelly,
Hillingdon Council