Vales hostel issue (From Penarth Times)

Vales hostel issue

A COUNCILLOR from Penarth is leading a campaign to reduce the army of'sofa-surfers' in the Vale of Glamorgan by building a second hospice for the homeless.

Janice Birch, councillor for Penarth's Stanwell ward, wants to hear the stories of people who have found themselves homeless in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Janice said: "The Vale of Glamorgan is currently carrying out a review on homelessness and I want to her first-hand accounts of people who have found themselves without a roof over their heads.

"I want to use the feedback from people who have found themselves in this position as part of the review."

Janice says she firmly believes that current provision for the homeless in the Vale of Glamorgan is inadequate.

She said: "At the moment the only place for the homeless to go in the Vale is Hafan Treharne in Gibbonsdown in Barry, which has 25 units available.

"In the last quarter of 2005, there were 70 people waiting to be housed in the Vale of Glamorgan - but 281 enquiries were also made to voluntary agencies who help the homeless.

"Seven people were being kept in bed and breakfasts in Barry, one in Cardiff and one as far away as Newport.

"However, I think these figures hide a vast army of sofa-surfers who are without homes but in lodgings with friends and family.