Homeless drop-in centre saved by council grant

The centre operates from Park Road Church

A homeless drop-in centre that was at risk of closure due to a lack of donations has been saved.

The facility, which operates from Park Road Church, Sunderland, has been given over £100,000 in grant funding so it can run until the end of March 2025.

A city council official said it was a “valuable service” and that tackling homelessness was a “key priority” for the local authority.

The centre is open on weekdays and provides homeless people with food, washing facilities and a shoe and clothes bank.

It is run by the charity Oasis Community Housing, and also helps people with housing applications and benefits advice.

Sunderland City Council has awarded the centre £113,758 from its public health grant, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The service was in need of funds due to a reduction in donations, which meant it would "no longer be able to continue to support and deliver the service", according to a council report.

Labour councillor Kevin Johnson said: “The provision of a homeless drop-in service within the city has been identified as a valuable service in response to those homeless and sleeping rough.”

'Help more people'

Oasis Aquila Housing, the charity which trades as Oasis Community Housing, works with a range of partners to deliver its services.

This includes local community groups and churches, the council’s housing options team, Wear Recovery, Shelter and the Probation Service.

David Smith, the head of the charity, said that they are pleased be working with the local authority on the project.

"Our hope is that this funding will continue to help more people facing homelessness in the city and extend the life of this drop-in centre," he said