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Camden New Journal - by PAUL KEILTHY
Published: 20 December 2007

Christmas refuge for homeless in balance

CHRISTMAS spirit is likely to overcome the reservations of health and crime experts when council chiefs decide tomorrow (Friday) whether a Euston Road landmark will be transformed into a centre for 250 homeless people for the holiday week.
Homeless charity Crisis rushed through an application to hold their eight-day Open Christmas event after the Wellcome Trust offered their library in Euston Road as a venue earlier this month.
Council homelessness experts recommended refusing the scheme, which will see 250 homeless people go to the centre every day to receive hot meals, advice, and company over the festive period.
Up to 150 will sleep at the centre, next to Euston Station.
In a report, they said the centre “is not a model of provision that is necessarily appropriate for this client group or for this part of London” and cited concerns over crime, anti-social behaviour, drugs and alcohol and fire risks.
But councillors ordered them to seek reassurances from Crisis so the centre could be approved in readiness for its opening on Sunday.
Although Crisis had still not satisfied them on two counts – fire risk and the possible strain on UCH – by last night (Wednesday), the centre is understood to have strong support from the council’s top rank of elected officials.

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