Longhurst Group helps to turn vital new homeless shelter into reality
26 February 2019
Longhurst Group is helping to create a new homeless centre in Lincoln, thanks to a grant from Homes England.
The award, of just over £700,000, was made to YMCA Lincolnshire, enabling the organisation to construct The Nomad Centre, which will provide purpose-built accommodation for the most vulnerable people in the city.
The grant was received through the Blue Skies Consortium, a group of housing associations jointly led by Longhurst Group and Nottingham Community Housing Association (NCHA), which are both strategic partners of Homes England.
The two providers are joint owners of Pitch Development Services, which will be project managing the scheme on the scheme on behalf of the YMCA.
Work on the new facility, which will upgrade and replace the YMCA’s Nomad Shelter on Monks Road, could start as early as April.
Artist's impression of the Nomad Centre
Nick Worboys, Director of Development and Sales at Longhurst Group, said: “We are delighted that the YMCA have received funding for the new homeless accommodation and that through our consultancy service, Pitch, we will be helping them turn this project into a reality.
“Longhurst Group operates extensively in Lincoln and so we are very aware how much this new accommodation is needed and what a positive and life-changing difference it will make.”
Caroline Killeavy, Chief Executive at YMCA Lincolnshire, which is celebrating its 150th year, added: “We have been waiting with bated breath to hear the outcome of the bid to Homes England, and are thrilled that Lincoln has been awarded this funding.
“We have listened to feedback and designed the new centre in such a way that it ensures the dignity and privacy of everyone who uses it. The Nomad Centre will break down barriers that were previously preventing people accessing essential services.”
"We are delighted that the YMCA have received funding for the new homeless accommodation and that through our consultancy service, Pitch, we will be helping them turn this project into a reality."
The estimated number of rough sleepers in Lincolnshire rose from 17 in 2012 to 78 in 2018. Between October 2017 and October 2018 more than 250 people accessed the Nomad Shelter in Lincoln.
Along with 20 en-suite bedrooms, plans for the new Nomad Centre include a hub on the ground floor where there will be kitchen facilities providing three hot meals a day, toilets and shower rooms and consulting rooms.
Caroline Killeavy said: “The Nomad Centre will provide emergency accommodation, but crucially, in the form of en-suite rooms instead of the dormitory-style facilities on offer now.
“People accessing the centre will be given a helping hand to access medical services, find alternative, more permanent places to live and will be provided with support for addiction and mental health.
“We will continue to work collaboratively with organisations and local authorities across Lincoln and this will provide an opportunity to bring essential services under one roof.”