Permanent homeless shelter backed

There have been calls for a permanent shelter for years

A permanent night shelter for homeless people in Wrexham has been approved.

The council's executive board unanimously backed the scheme, which follows the success of a 10-bed temporary shelter.

The shelter had been delayed by a £40,000 shortfall, which has now been met by additional funding from the council and the Welsh Assembly Government.

A recent survey found up to 15 people sleeping rough on Wrexham's streets.

A temporary centre run by the Clwyd Alyn Housing Association in December 2006 proved a great success and supporters said it illustrated a need for a permanent shelter.

Planning permission for the shelter off Holt Road had been set to be granted in December 2007 after the assembly government pledged £40,000 towards it.

Despite the funding, a £42,000 shortfall still threatened to jeopardise the scheme.

However, a further £14,000 of assembly funding has now been granted, alongside a further £28,000 from the council.