Generous Whitehall grant could spare rough-sleepers from facing icy January nights in the open

 

Underneath a cheerful-looking street illumination on Cleethorpes seafront is a scene of quiet desperation 

A £700,000 grant from Whitehall could aid efforts by North East Lincolnshire Council to reduce homelessness in the borough.

There was tragedy last month when a frail homeless man died in a tent behind the foreshore chalets on  Cleethorpes seafront.

The award has come too late to save his life, but, if used wisely,  it might lessen the chance of the sad event being repeated.

Says a statement from NELC: "The funding will be used to help plug the gap in provision for specialised supported accommodation for those who have a long history of rough sleeping and those with complex needs."

Swan House, on Newhaven Terrace in Grimsby, will be given over to accommodating and supporting individuals who are eligible for statutory homelessness assistance.

Working in partnership with housing and support providers, the council's aim is to help them to gain independent living skills.

The statement continues: "Residents of Swan House will benefit from 24/7 housing management and concierge facilities with regular visits from different services. 

"It is also planned to develop a community hub within the building, allowing different organisations to visit and deliver sessions and services not just for residents but for the local community also."

The building is not yet ready to accept its first residents - nor is there a target date -  but the hope is that conversion works will be complete very soon.

Says NELC leader Cllr Phillip Jackson: "We are grateful to have secured this extra funding - it will allow us to help those who need the support before they are ready to live independently."