The City of London Corporation has opened a new rough sleeping assessment centre in the Square Mile which offers 14 short-stay beds to rough sleepers.
The assessment centre has been converted and refurbished from a former school building, located in the grounds of Church of Holy Sepulchre on Snow Hill Court.
The service is funded by the City of London Corporation and operated by London-based charity Thames Reach, an organisation that helps people who are homeless or vulnerable to find homes.
Thames Reach provides 24/7 support, 365 days a year and works closely with health and social care providers to establish the best routes away from rough sleeping for people and help them in to permanent accommodation.
Bill Tidnam, Thames Reach Chief Executive Officer, said the new centre will help the charity to complete assessments, and quickly understand the needs and the options available for people sleeping on the streets of the City.
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Eamonn Mullay added, “By working closely with Thames Reach we aim to reduce long term rough sleeping, and ensure that people who arrive to the streets spend no more than one night out.”
Chairman of the City Corporation’s Community and Children’s Services Committee, Ruby Sayed, said: “We are absolutely committed to addressing the root causes of homelessness – an issue that remains a significant challenge, right across London.”
She added, “Every single person has the right to feel safe, secure, and protected, and we are proud to offer our support to some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
“These new facilities will help reduce long-term rough sleeping in the Square Mile.”
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