A new daytime hub to help Nelson’s homeless will be a “collaboration across the community” says a Nelson City councillor.
Nelson City Council’s Community Services Committee approved funding of up to $30,000 to assist the project at its meeting on Thursday.
The hub will provide laundry facilities, a bathroom and computers for Nelson’s homeless community from the Male Room on Saint Vincent St.
Male Room director Philip Chapman told the committee that others had also stepped forward to offer support for the project, including a member of the public who had donated $5000.
Philip says during Covid-19 a lot of “big players” such as the Nelson Marlborough Health had become involved in the homeless situation, but it was the small agencies that had been working for “quite a while” to build relationships and will remain as things return to normal.
He says the homeless community needs to be involved in the hub’s creation to ensure it meets their needs.
“Often as agencies we decide what people want without actually discussing with them.”
He says ideally the hub would also employ someone who is homeless to look after things during the day to help give them a pathway into employment.
“We think ‘oh the poor vulnerable things’ but they actually have a lot of skills. They survive out there when you and I wouldn’t... and they have a lot to offer.”
Council agreed to fund up to $30,000 for the Community Partnerships Budget with an additional $3500 from the Mayor’s Fund.
Rotary spokesman John Hambleton spoke during the public forum of Thursday’s meeting saying Nelson’s four clubs had agreed in principle to provide $10,000 of funding and they would be applying to the Rotary District for an additional $10,000.
The clubs will provide technical support and have offered to carry out a feasibility study for the hub.
John says as part of looking at options for new builds vs relocating a second-hand building, they have been offered a former Marlborough classroom free of charge.
He says, although the building would need some upgrades, one benefit is that it’s double the size of what they would be able to build new.
“It future proofs the organisation and I think that’s important.”
Councillor Rachel Sanson said it was “really heartening” to see the collaboration of not just the Rotary groups, but across the community to bring the project to life.
Committee chair Matt Lawrey says he is “absolutely thrilled” that other agencies have come in behind to support the project.
The hub’s creation will be led by the Male Room with support from council, Rotary and other organisations.
