Open Door selected for Government funding programme
09.04.2008
Plans to redevelop the Open Door emergency night shelter in Bricket Road, St Albans moved a step closer thanks to a recent announcement from the Housing Minister Caroline Flint.
As part of the Government’s Places of Change Programme (PCP), the Housing Minister selected Open Door to receive £525,000. The funds will help redevelop the night shelter by replacing the existing dormitory provision and introducing new training facilities. Open Door was one of only six projects in the Eastern region to bid successfully for funds.
St Albans City and District Council submitted the bid working in partnership with Hightown Praetorian & Churches Housing Association who manage the night shelter.
Hightown Praetorian & Churches Chief Executive, David Bogle, welcomed the extra funding. “We hope to introduce separate accommodation for clients which will help to promote dignity and self-esteem. We want to support homeless people to gain the self confidence necessary to access housing and employment by introducing daytime training and education activities involving internet and computer access, as well as taster sessions in an educational setting,” he said
Service users will be involved in the layout and design of the building.
It is estimated that the Open Door redevelopment will cost approximately £930,000. The £525,000 received from the Government will go towards the overall project costs. The Open Door Trust will continue their fundraising efforts to raise funds to cover the rest of the project costs.
Karen Dragovic, Head of Housing for St Albans City and District Council, added: “This is good news for the district. It will help not only to improve the accommodation for single people at Open Door but also the services available to homeless people to help them access permanent housing and employment opportunities”.
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