Works starts on new homelessness shelter for Cardiff
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THE ground has been broken as a new homelessness centre for Cardiff takes shape.
A £9.4m redevelopment of the Huggard Centre will “break the cycle of homelessness” in the city, according to Cardiff council.
The new centre on Tresillian Terrace, Butetown, will include two hostels, temporary overnight accommodation and a replacement day centre with a cafe.
Councillor Judith Woodman, Cardiff council’s executive member for communities, housing and social justice, said: “It will provide Cardiff with a first-class facility to help battle homelessness.
“This centre will be crucial to helping to break the cycle of homelessness in the city.”
Coun Woodman said the centre would allow staff to assess people’s housing needs in a “single-assessment centre”.
This will see housing staff move from Marland House in the city centre to the new site. While the new Huggard Centre is being built the charity has moved temporarily into Custom House.
Howard Gough, chairman of the Huggard Centre, said the charity was excited about what the new centre could offer. He said: “It will be a beacon for homelessness centres in the UK. It is a historically important day for Huggard and this development will really offer what we need to help homeless people.”
Huggard chief executive Richard Edwards said the charity was looking forward to moving from Custom House and getting into the new premises next year.
Mike Talbot, chairman of the Hafod Care Association, also welcomed the project.
He said: “Standing here and seeing it take shape, it’s incredible something like this is being built to tackle homelessness in Cardiff.”
The centre will be able to take 60 rough sleepers overnight, with 44 beds and 16 temporary beds available.
Huggard was founded by Reverend Doug Bale in 1988 – working out of temporary sheds in Callaghan Square.
The first centre was built in Butetown after a grant from Bob and Ethel Huggard for £195,000. It was opened by the Queen in 1993.
The project is funded by Cardiff council, the Welsh Assembly Government, Huggard, Hafod Care Association and the Big Lottery.
