The Nightshelter on Clare Road in Cardiff shuts this year to comply with homelessness policy.
Homeless people in Cardiff are facing an uncertain future by losing one of the key shelters this year due to the housing plan proposed by the Welsh Government.
The Nightshelter, known as a staple of homeless people in Cardiff, built on Clare Road, has provided a safe place to them for over 20 years, supported by public funding, run by a local charity, the Wallich, with the actions taken by Cardiff Council, now will be in use of other projects in helping homelessness.
Chief Executive of the Wallich, Lindsay Cordery-Bruce says: ‘‘We feel we can create new services which will serve the community in a different way. We will continue to help get people off the streets and end repeated cycles of homelessness.’’
Cardiff Councilor of the riverside, Iona Gordon says: ‘‘The Government has given extra money to Councils to accommodate homeless people and prevent them ‘sleeping rough’ – outside. Homeless people are being housed temporarily in hostels, empty blocks of flats, and hotels in the city.’’
Iona Gordon says that there was a disruption in the shelter last summer which has caused attention for them of making this decision, also the social distancing rules in place. Whilst helping homeless people off the streets, it can keep them in other parts of the city that were not surrounded by family homes with lots of children.
“Last November I encouraged a young dad with four children aged between 6 and 14 years old to present as homeless to Cardiff Council,” she says.
“The mother of his children was very ill, and she was going to give up the children to be looked after by the Council’s social services, dad lived in one bedroomed flat in Riverside. With my support, Cardiff Council gave him the keys to a three-bedroomed Council house in Fairwater, just a few days before Christmas. The family was so happy!’
The Welsh government has been providing help to households experiencing homelessness, ￡100 million has been chipped in 2021 and local government has made it a priority in preventing homelessness instead of assistant afterward.
This money will be used for making better accommodations and more affordable homes, furthermore, support services will be applied and the outstanding renting issues will be fixed.