Edward Street Hostel services in Northern Ireland

Housing programmes from the Edward Street Hostel are for the low income as well as homeless. They provide accommodations for as many as 70 people at one time in the County Armagh region. The individuals that use the hostel will be provided other support services as well.

The charity is part of the Simon Community network of not-for-profits in northern Ireland and they partner with them on funding these services. Together they are also to combine resources in an effort to help clients with their various needs.

The floating support is available in up to 4 different centers in the county. They are listed below, as well as information on how many people can use the centre.

Ex-offenders can use the site at Edward Street, Portadown. There are up to ten people that can not only be given a bed to sleep in, but the Hostel staff will also help them gain new skills so they stay out of trouble.

There is also a site in County Armagh for the youth as well as lone parents. Both of the sites will not only give the person a safe place to sleep, but the practical support arranged will be a hot meal or clothing. Residents of Belfast can also drop in a the centre.

Any clients of the organisation will be given other practical assistance from Edward Street Hostel as well. This is not only offered for the homeless in the floating support schemes, but other families on a low income can also apply for the services provided.

If a client needs clothing for a job interview, then this will be given. They can use use a free phone at the hostel to call to receive information on the support they need. Also, an internet access point is available from Monday to Friday for those staying at the hostel.

There is also one Floating Support scheme for young people. The person will need to be under the age of 26 and either threatened with eviction or homeless. Up to 20 people can be placed into this programme. They will be given a bed in a shared flat from Edward Street Hostel and access services for independent living.

Benefits advice is given by the team. Specialists from Simon Community drop in at the Edward Street Hostel to hold sessions on what is available. They will go over government schemes, such as housing, that can get someone off the streets in County Armagh. Some people will need to be resettled to housing local to Belfast.

Some people need help in completing forms for these benefits, or they have questions on whether they are eligible or not. Staff from Edward Street Hostel can help in this capacity. This is also combined with ongoing tenancy support.

Edward Street will soon be turned into an ex-offender only housing site. This means that all clients will need to have a past record in order to move into one of the accommodations they run. The client will also need to apply for risk management and Criminal Justice workshops.

While there are four centres in the area, the main Hostel is at Mayfair Business Centre, Garvaghy Road, Portadown. The phone number is 028 3833 4949. Referrals are needed from a GP, Health Visitor, Social Worker, or School if it is a young person.