Town support hailed after Ludlow homeless shelter saved
Housing bosses today welcomed the "moving" support of Ludlow's people for a shelter for homeless people – and said plans to expand are back on the table.
A decision to continue funding for The Foyer in Ludlow at its current level for at least another year was rubber stamped by Shropshire Council's cabinet following widespread concerns that cuts may threaten its future.
Ann Sutcliffe, an executive director with Shropshire Housing Group, today hailed the people of Ludlow for turning out in support of The Foyer's disadvantaged youngsters, saying it made a real difference to see their cause taken up. The rethink on funding followed a 1,300-signature petition presented to a full meeting of Shropshire Council last week, and a "sleep out" of campaigners on the streets of Ludlow at the start of the month.
The news means hopes to create 11 extra two-bedroom flats in a building next door to the centre in Portcullis Lane, almost doubling the number of young people the scheme can accommodate, have been revived.
Mrs Sutcliffe said: "The people of Ludlow have been so vociferous.
"Many towns would be so negative about having homeless young people coming there, but I have just been blown away at how supportive Ludlow has been for the young people.
"It's been really helpful. All those older people sleeping out under the Buttercross, saying 'we're not going to take this' – it was very moving.
"It was the town standing up in defence of its young people."
She said the future was still uncertain beyond the next financial year, especially as a Government-proposed cap to the local housing allowance that young residents, and by extension The Foyer, relied on had also only been put off for a year.
She said: "The reason why this is so important is that we've been looking at expanding into Harvest House next door, which with great difficulty we got planning approval for, and the support of Ludlow Town Council and conservation people.
"It will spread the cost of The Foyer more thinly to make it more viable and affordable. But because of this uncertainty we had to pull the plug on that."
She said now the bid would be revived, but added: "Unless we get the revenue commitment from the council in the next three months we won't be able to go ahead with that."
