Advertisement

Crystal Palace FC using club lounge as emergency homeless shelter

Crystal Palace FC are using a lounge at their stadium as an emergency shelter in extreme weather as part of a program to combat homelessness.

The Premier League club have teamed up with Croydon Council in what is believed to be the first project of its kind.

The lounge at Selhurst Park will be turned into a temporary overnight shelter for up to 10 rough sleepers whenever night time temperatures are forecast to drop below freezing.

Under the deal, people formally identified as rough sleeping are referred by outreach staff to the stadium, where they are welcomed with a camp bed for the night, a hot evening meal, breakfast and washing facilities.

A member of club staff serves food at the shelter (Croydon Council/Crystal Palace FC)
A member of club staff serves food at the shelter (Croydon Council/Crystal Palace FC)

The space will be converted back to normal use each morning, when the council’s Gateway homelessness prevention service and Thames Reach support workers will help provide long-term solutions for those affected.

The new emergency shelter was made available for the first time on Thursday, when eight rough sleepers were accommodated.

Councillor Alison Butler, deputy leader and cabinet member for homes and Gateway services, said: “Freezing temperatures are a particular safety risk for rough sleepers and this is a wonderful gesture by Crystal Palace for helping us reduce that risk.

“I do hope that the actions and support of our local Premier League football club will encourage more businesses in Croydon to get in touch and do what they can to help us address homelessness. Crystal Palace are setting a standard for other clubs to follow.”

The lounge will be set up as a shelter when temperatures are below freezing (Croydon Council/Crystal Palace FC)
The lounge will be set up as a shelter when temperatures are below freezing (Croydon Council/Crystal Palace FC)

Crystal Palace Football Club chief executive Phil Alexander said: “We are delighted to be collaborating with Croydon Council and their partner agencies to ensure that rough sleepers can find an emergency shelter in the event of severe winter weather.

“The club wants to be a force for good in the community and we are happy to do our bit to help those most in need.

“A huge thank you to all the volunteers who have given their time freely to make this happen, including club staff, as well as to Sainsbury’s Crystal Palace for donating food.”