Concerns raised after Suffolk homeless charity's shock closure
Access Community Trust, based Lowestoft, has been supporting local people for 50 years
Vulnerable people will have a safe place to stay following the announcement of a charity’s sudden closure, a council’s housing lead has said.
Access Community Trust, based in Bevan Street East, Lowestoft, has announced it could close down with immediate effect.
The charity provides bed spaces for those facing homelessness, as well as mental health and wellbeing support in Suffolk and Norfolk.
Cllr David Beavan, East Suffolk Council’s housing lead, said the authority had activated its emergency protocol after being given only a two-day notice.
He said: “Our absolute priority has been to ensure that nobody is left without a safe place to stay or without access to essential support.”
Out of the 87 bed spaces the charity provided, Cllr Beavan confirmed the authority secured 75 and worked out temporary arrangements for the remaining 12 while working to find longer-term solutions.
The council is also working with about 200 staff and volunteers to minimise the impact of the closure.
A drop-in event will be held tomorrow morning at the community hub in Rotterdam Road, Lowestoft, for those affected.
Jess Asato, the MP for Lowestoft, said the closure was ‘deeply concerning’ for the town after the charity played a central role in supporting vulnerable people for 50 years – a milestone it reached in July last year.
“Services such as Bridge View, Sam’s Café and the Olive Centre have been important community assets, and many residents will feel this loss,” she said.
“My thoughts are with the dedicated staff and volunteers whose jobs have been affected.”
Ms Asato praised the council on its swift action to secure emergency accommodation and said she would be working with the authority to save as much of the charity’s provision as possible.
Access Community Trust has been approached for comment.