Re-launch for town's homeless project

A refurbishment programme costing nearly 300,000 was funded by the Government's Places of Change Programme with help and support from Harrogate Council's Property Services Team.

The hostel premises on Bower Street, owned by the council and rented to the project at a peppercorn rent, have been completely upgraded.

Facilities include 16 bedrooms with handbasins, single beds, wardrobes and desks.

A new enlarged kitchen and TV lounge have been provided, as well as further showers and toilets, including a ground floor disabled WC, and a new meeting room.

The Places of Change investment has resulted in the Harrogate Homeless Project changing from a night shelter model to a full hostel, allowing residents all-day access to accommodation.

This project is one of four in the Yorkshire and Humber Region to benefit from 70m allocated to 69 homeless projects across England.

It also received many generous donations from the community. Rixonway Kitchens donated a full kitchen; the Help the Homeless Project and Skipton Building Society contributed a new cooker.

The Places of Change Programme aims to make sure that those getting hostel accommodation are also supported and encouraged to find employment.

Project manager Liz Hancock said the partnership with Harrogate Council had created a "wonderful non-institutionalised facility".

The project will be reopened by Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones today at 12.30pm.