Homeless pods a vital lifeline, charities say

Charities working with the homeless say a decision to approve overnight pods in a city will be "life-saving".

Sunderland City Council has given the green light to the temporary accommodation at The Salvation Army Swan Lodge Lifehouse in the city's High Street East.

The four self-contained rooms, known as NAPpads, which will be located in a garden at the charity's site, have a toilet and washing facilities, a security door, power point, electric heater and light.

Salvation Army homelessness manger Tony Thornton said: "The NAPpad can provide a vital lifeline and a dignified sanctuary for people suffering with mental health issues or not suited to hostel accommodation."

The charity hopes the pods will be in place by the spring and will add to the accommodation it currently has at Swan Lodge, which is often full.

Mr Thornton said he hopes they will help people "move on from being forced to sleep on the streets".

The NAPpad acts as a stepping stone to more permanent housing and support options, he added.

Other charities working with the homeless have welcomed Sunderland City Council's decision to approve the pods.

Andrea Bell, founder of the Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen, which feeds 100 people four times a week, said: "This is something we've said has been needed for at least five years.

"I used to spend hours trying to find people somewhere to go and often there was just nothing.

"For there to be a safe place, with a bed rather than people sleeping under the bushes, well I am ecstatic, it's the only way I can describe how I'm feeling about it."

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