City of Melbourne and Salvation Army open Bourke St safe space for rough sleepers

A NIGHT-time safe space for rough sleepers will open in central Melbourne, giving warmth and security for the city’s homeless this winter.

A NIGHT-time safe space for rough sleepers will open Monday night in central Melbourne.

Homeless people looking for warmth, security and food will able to stay at the Salvation Army’s Hamodava cafe in Bourke St.

The launch of the project comes after a pilot program last year.

The City of Melbourne will spend $300,000 on helping people in need at the centre, where specialist staff will help to make referrals to housing and other services.

Homeless people wrap up to fight the winter chill on Russell St, Melbourne. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said winter was a tough time for people who don’t have access to housing.

“This cafe will be provide a vital service to more than 70 people a night,” Cr Doyle said.

“We’re not just saying to rough sleepers, here’s a warm space at night in the CBD. It’s about linking people with appropriate housing, as well as drug and alcohol services to help them find permanent pathways out of homelessness.”

The cafe will offer food, showers and other support.

Creswick Woollen Mills is donating 250 blankets to the project.

Homeless sleep on the streets of Melbourne as winter closes in. Picture: Nicole Garmston

The centre will operate about 250 days a year, including days of extreme heat.

Cr Doyle also urged generous Melburnians not to donate directly to rough sleepers but to give to charities and services such as the Salvation Army and Melbourne City Mission.

TOM ELLIOTT: HOW TO SOLVE MELBOURNE’S HOMELESS PROBLEM

ANGER AT PROPOSED HOMELESSNESS LAWS

“If you give money, food, clothing, blankets and other material goods directly to rough sleepers, you are entrenching homelessness.’’

A council survey last June revealed that 247 people were rough sleeping in the CBD.

@IanRoyall