Homeless hostel will close

10:06pm Tuesday 2nd September 2008

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A HOSTEL for homeless people will close, St Albans District Council confirmed tonight.

Ridgeview in London Colney will close on August 9, next year meaning its 64 vulnerable residents will need to be resettled over the next 12 months.

Council leader Robert Donald once again stressed at tonight's cabinet meeting that occupants would not be turfed onto the streets as a result of the closures, but re-housed.

While it is estimated it will take a year to find alternative housing for residents, councillor Donald said the proposed closure date would be re-considered if suitable accommodation had not been found for all Ridgeview residents.

Speaking at the meeting, housing officer Linda Middleton said one-to-one interviews had been held with 39 of the 64 occupants to find the right housing solution for them. Homeless shelters including Open Door aswell as council and housing association flats may be used as temporary accommodation in the meantime.

St Albans District Council said it would use some of the cash from the sale to develop modern temporary accommodation for vulnerable people aswell as supporting the cost of replacing the deteriorating Westminster Lodge leisure Centre.