THERE will be no winter hostel for the homeless in Waverley this winter for the first time in 13 years. The shelter, which first came to the disused Redgrave Theatre and adjoining Brightwell House in Farnham in 1998 after using various venues across the borough, has run its course, according to a statement by Waverley Council this week. The hostel, customarily opened around the beginning of December for up to 14 weeks, and manned with the help of volunteers, provided 10 beds and a range of other health and advice services for rough sleepers. It has operated in recent years as Winterwatch, in a partnership between Waverley Council, the English Churches Housing Group and First Base for the Homeless. But its future has hung in the balance since 2001, as Waverley intends that the Redgrave will be demolished and Brightwell House will be converted to a restaurant under the East Street redeveloped. According to the council, however, the main reason that Winterwatch is not being provided is the establishment of Simmonds Court, a permanent facility in Victoria Road, Farnham, providing 13 units all year round. "Over recent years, the temporary shelter, open over the Christmas period, has been a useful facility for homeless people. However, as a result of joint working with First Base for the Homeless and Surrey Community Development Trust, there is now a permanent facility in Farnham which provides a more settled base." The statement added that homelessness across Waverley has been declining and the number of people sleeping rough in Waverley has also reduced. Also, the Winterwatch hostel had attracted a number of people who have no connection to the Waverley area and neighbouring local authorities were working to address their needs. While not running a hostel, the Winterwatch initiative would continue to assist homeless people into temporary accommodation in and around Waverley. David January, Waverley's director of housing, said: "The Winterwatch hostel has certainly proved its worth and perhaps run its course at this time. The way in which it has been managed by English Churches Housing Group, with many local volunteers, has resulted in a number of homeless people securing a permanent home of their own – thus breaking the revolving door of homelessness. "Having consulted with our partners in the voluntary sector and with neighbouring local authorities, we concluded earlier this year that we would not run a hostel this winter. "However, we will be maintaining our 'watch over winter' and helping homeless people by providing housing advice and sign-posting to temporary accommodation in and around Waverley." The situation will be monitored and a decision taken early next year over whether there is likely to be a need for a hostel facility in 2006.
