Housing Needs

A new strategy group has been formed by six Christian agencies which help people with housing needs.

Two meetings have now been held, attended by representatives from Oasis, the Salvation Army, ECHO and People Matter, Fat Fleshed Ministries and the YMCA (Accomodation). The group has made a commitment to work together in offering help to people with housing needs, and to supporting one another as key workers, valuing the contributions made by each organisation.

The meetings included a chance to hear from the different organisations, and the group have produced a map of existing service provision so that they can identify gaps and prioritise some short, medium and long term goals. The group's aim is to develop a wide range of solutions in the long term that will meet the various housing needs of people in Eastbourne.

In the short term, the Salvation Army is expanding its Day Centre facilities for homeless people, and a refurbishment programme and fundraising appeal is to be launched. Anyone willing to assist with painting, decorating, plumbing and carpentry should contact either Pauline Peagam at the Salvation Army Citadel on eastbournecit_sa@btconnect.com or Sandy Medway at sandy@bn212sb.freeserve.co.uk.