Future of Devon homeless hostel has been decided

A temporary hostel for homeless people in Barnstaple is to become permanent. North Devon Council’s planning officers approved the removal of a condition so the Freedom Centre warehouse in Howard Avenue can be used continuously.

The proposal by the Freedom Community Alliance was supported by Barnstaple Town Council and Cllr Caroline Leaver (Lib Dem, Barnstaple South) who said that rough sleeper ‘pods’ offered additional security for people otherwise on the streets.

“They also offer community benefits by reducing the number of people sleeping rough in an area that is used as a route to school, work, services and leisure, and thus reducing the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour that is reported to us as councillors,” she said.

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Temporary permission was granted for the Freedom Centre hostel in 2021 for 12 months, and re-applications made every 18 months subsequently.

Two letters of support were received from local individuals about the positive benefit the service provides.

The applicants said a rough sleeper outreach team worked in the building and there was also a GP, mental health worker and drug and alcohol specialist.

In the past three years, hundreds of rough sleepers often with complex problems had stayed at the property with no issues raised, they said.

“We are providing safe, short term overnight accommodation for up to four rough sleepers, with overnight welfare security staff overseeing the work seven days a week,” they said.

“We aim to move people on to alternative accommodation as soon as possible. Last year 53 placements were made to 40 different people and 26 of these moved on to alternative accommodation. The pods provide a solution to rough sleeping that cannot be provided elsewhere.”

The pods are owned by North Devon Council.

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