Shelter launches new London Hub for families facing homelessness

A brand new centre has opened to help families facing bad housing and homelessness in London.

The launch event at the Tyssen Street premises on Thursday 1 October was attended by representatives from the London assembly, Hackney and Newham council and members of the local community,with Hackney Councillor Phillip Glanville giving the opening speech.

Latest government statistics show that almost 40,000 families in London are homeless and living in temporary accommodation. The new Shelter Hub is a one stop shop offering information, support and advice to anyone struggling to keep a roof over their heads.

Alongside the drop-in advice centre, Shelter also runs the Hackney Family Service, which provides long-term support, especially tailored help to families in the area struggling with homelessness. Berkeley foundation part-fund the service, enabling Shelter to help a further 232 families in Hackney to secure a stable future over the next 3 years.

"Anyone who needs help with a housing issue can just drop in for free advice from one of our expert advisers."

Connie Cullen, Shelter's London Support Services manager, said: "We're incredibly excited that our new service hub will offer even greater support to families battling bad housing and homelessness in Hackney and beyond. Since starting as a pilot last year the service has already helped over 500 families and now, thanks to the Berkeley Foundation, with a dedicated drop in centre we will be able to help even more people in the future.

Charmaine Young CBE, Chief Executive of the Berkeley Foundation, said: "Over the last four years, the Berkeley Foundation has committed over £420,000 to Shelter,
with our staff raising a further £240,000, and we are delighted to be supporting the Hackney Family Service. This is a forward-thinking project which will make an incredible difference to people at risk of homelessness and families with complex needs."