Need

Rough sleeping in Southend is a major concern and has increased year on year since 2004 from 50 to 220 in 2011. HARP has seen the demand for the Night Shelter facilities increase dramatically and as a result has to turn away on average around 5 people a week, and more recently as many as 5 per day. Our current provision consists of 2 centres on separate sites 2 miles apart, both of which are dilapidated and need substantial maintenance and repair and are no longer fit for purpose.

Solution

To increase the number of beds for rough sleepers by 19, and also update the facilities in line with current Government's Places of Change guidelines to give independent rather than shared facilities. Provide a seamless service as both the Day and Night Services would be under one roof. By giving rough sleepers direct access to the Day Centre where they are living it increases their chances of rehabilitation into independent living.

Aims

Increase the provision of emergency accommodation for people who are homeless or at risk.

Activities

» Create 19 new bedrooms with private bathroom facilities.

Success will be providing 19 new emergency beds with private facilities.

To provide a seamless service by combining the Day Centre & Night Shelter services under one roof.

Activities

» By relocating the services from their current sites to the new centre at The Darnley.

Success will be rehousing and combining the current services on one site.

To provide support services to the centre of need.

Activities

» By locating the new centre in an area with recognised deprivation and a number of vulnerable people.

Success will be bringing the support advice and training services of the Day Centre to where they are most needed.

To assist in the regeneration of the local area

Activities

» Refurbish a dilapidated Hotel and provide a centre for the community to meet.

Success will be restoration and improvement of the current building and creation of facilities that can be accessed by the local community.

Impact

Provide a legacy of support to the homeless of Southend and help to regenerate the local area. Success will be... . People rough sleeping reduce in number. People leave as part of a Planned Departure. People are housed in temporary and permanent accommodation. People gain confidence and skills. People sustain a tenancy. Reduce anti-social behaviour in the locality

Risk

Insufficient funding - The Project plan will be achieved as HARP Trustees are committed to developing the new centre and will explore all avenues to secure the required funding. Planning permission - Council approval achieved August 2011 and property purchased September 2011.

Reporting

A dedicated Darnley project page on our website www. Harpsouthend. Org. Uk

Budget - Project Cost: £1,380,000

Current Funding / Pledges

Source	Amount
Local Benefactors	£325,000	Guaranteed
Homelessness Change Programme	£650,000	Conditional

Location

The Darnley is situated in the Kursaal Ward of the Borough of Southend in Essex. Kursaal has a higher percentage of the population in the 16-44 age group and a high percentage of rented accommodation most of which is from Housing Associations. Health and employment figures in the area are poor.

Beneficiaries

Homeless and those at risk of homelessness in Southend and vulnerable adults housed in the locality.

Why Us?

HARP is the only comprehensive homeless service in Southend aimed at enabling people to move forward with their lives by providing emergency accommodation for rough sleepers and advice, support, accommodation and meaningful activity programmes. The Council’s Voluntary Grant has funded Day Centre staff for over 20 years.

Read more about the Charity running this project.

People

Trustees, Staff And Volunteers

These 3 groups of people have, over the last 20 years, worked together to develop HARP services and are committed to delivering the project.