Westcliff hotel to become homeless shelter

The former hotel will eventually provide accommodation across three floors

A former hotel in Essex is being converted into a homeless shelter to provide support and accommodation for up to nine rough sleepers.

Work is under way on the Victorian terraced house in Trinity Avenue, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend.

Charity Off The Streets hope it will be a step towards a more positive life.

"Being homeless does not mean being hopeless," said development officer Del Thomas, who added he was "very excited" about the £1.3m transformation.

The Westcliff-based charity was set up in 2018, the same year that figures showed Southend had one of the highest rates of rough sleeping in England.

It helped 119 rough sleepers during its first two years but during the pandemic was forced to close its former shop unit, where five people could be housed.

Now it hopes the former Trinity Hotel will support almost twice as many rough sleepers when it opens in December.

'Massive smiles'

"People just need that helping hand when they are at their lowest," added Mr Thomas.

"When rough sleepers come to us, we ask what it is they want to achieve.

"We do not assume - as it could be they want to be reunited with family and not just about finding accommodation.

"We break it down into stepping stones; small targets they can achieve.

"They come back with massive smiles on their faces when they have achieved something."

Rough sleepers are given a 28-day contract, which can be adapted so long as they are working to move forward.

The charity has funded the work through grants and loans and from regular donations from supporters.

It has also received a £10,000 crime and disorder reduction grant from the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, Roger Hirst, to help with the shelter's running costs.

Mr Hirst said: "Sometimes, people fall on hard times and find themselves without a place to call home, especially since the pandemic and during the cost-of-living crisis.

"How special that we have this charity working so hard for the people of Southend."