Hostel plan is discussed (From Free Press Series)

Hostel plan is discussed

A HOSTEL for 20 young homeless people could be built in Pontypool. Torfaen County Borough Council plans to build the centre on the site of the disused TA centre on Osborne Road. The hostel, which could be open in 18 months, would provide temporary supervised accommodation for people aged 16-25.

The plan was discussed by councillors at a public meeting on Monday. The old TA centre was purchased by the council's education department for the aborted superschool project. It would be demolished to make way for the hostel. The nearby cadet hut would remain in place.

Residents who attended the meeting have come out against the plan while councillors largely welcomed it.

The plan comes in the wake of rising numbers of homeless people. In 2003-04 more than 1,000 people declared themselves homeless to the council - most were young people already living in the borough.

Kellie Beirne, the council's housing strategy officer, said homelessness was worsening because of rising house prices which left many young people unable to buy a house, and increasing statutory duties on the council to provide housing for vulnerable groups.

With a lack of council housing available, homeless people were being put up in bed and breakfast accommodation at an annual cost of £450,000 to the local taxpayer.

Cllr Gwyneira Clark, executive member for housing, revealed National Assembly funding of £350,000 was on offer to fund the proposed hostel which would be lost unless the plan was committed before the end of the financial year (March 31, 2005).

l Residents at the meeting criticised the council for not informing them of the plan. They found out about it through a leaflet anonymously circulated to houses around the area.

Cllr Clark apologised to residents for not informing them directly and pledged they would be consulted closely from now on. Council leader Bob Wellington said the council would need to set up a meeting with residents 'as quickly as possible'.

One resident said: "This problem has been created by a lack of investment in housing by Torfaen council and now they want to dump it on our doorstep."