Council to continue search for homeless hostel

South Norfolk Council will continue working on behalf of homeless families after hearing that hopes of securing possible hostel accommodation in Great Moulton have been set back.

Council officers were told today that Oak Brook, a former bed and breakfast hotel in the village, was no longer on the market.

Richard Carden said:

“We are very disappointed at the news. We tried to reassure residents in the village that this hostel was for homeless families. We made it clear that we had no intention of placing unsuitable people in the hostel.

“My message to homeless families in South Norfolk, who are still desperate for our help is simple: We will not abandon our search for somewhere suitable for you to live while you look for a safe, secure and more permanent home.”

Cabinet member for care, fairness and housing, Vivienne Clifford-Jackson said:

“This is a setback, but our duties and responsibilities to help the homeless have not gone away. Homelessness is a fact of life, and it could happen to any of us at any time.”

David Cork, South Norfolk Council’s Head of Strategic Housing said:

“Officers in the homelessness team are approached every single day by individuals and families, often in urgent need of somewhere to live. They range from those whose partner has died, and have lost the family home because they cannot afford the mortgage; to those who are escaping threats and violence.

“We made every effort to avoid losing Oak Brook, but this seems to have happened. All of us in the housing team deal with difficult situations, day in and day out, so we will pick ourselves up and get on with the job. The search goes on.”

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