Today sees the launch of Citadel House in Stroud, providing a safe space for homeless people, where dogs are welcome too.
Faced with the stark choice of giving up a beloved pet to qualify for accommodation, many will opt to take their chances on the streets rather than say goodbye to their canine companion. 90% of homelessness professionals surveyed experienced barriers for clients accessing homelessness services because they had a dog.
“Within the Stroud area, there are significant numbers of people awaiting one-bedroom accommodation. GCH is committed to providing high quality housing for people who find themselves without a permanent home. Our experienced homeless team will work in partnership with Stroud District Council and other local support networks including the Salvation Army next door. This specialist support will provide not only a temporary safe haven for those people at risk of rough sleeping, but a route into permanent housing.”
The property was purchased by Gloucester City Homes (GCH) with a grant from Stroud District Council. It will offer temporary homeless accommodation for up to eight customers while they find more permanent homes.
“We made funding available for this project because a key activity of our Council Plan is to prioritise the prevention of homelessness, including working with partners to develop specialist housing and support. Being able to keep a much-loved dog plays a big part in helping people cope and deal with their difficulties, with the right support. I am really pleased to see partners working together on this project which complements the extensive work we do to tackle homelessness in the district.”
Citadel House has been endorsed by Dogs Trust as part of its Welcoming Dogs scheme. The scheme supports homelessness services to become dog-friendly by creating and implementing bespoke pet policies. By joining the scheme, accommodation providers are able to help keep more people and their pets together.
“For most dog owners, being separated from their dog is no different from being separated from a family member. Many dog owners experiencing homelessness are forced to make the heart-breaking decision to give up their beloved pets just so they can have somewhere safe and secure to sleep. “We don’t think anyone should have to choose between a bed or their faithful friend, and we work with many housing providers, including Gloucester City Homes, to successfully offer dog-friendly accommodation. “It’s incredibly important that pet-friendly housing is available at every step of someone’s housing pathway, and we’re keen to work with as many homelessness services as possible so that we can help keep people and their pets together.”
Citadel House dates from 1797 and was formerly the Salvation Army minister’s residence. In recent years the building has only been used occasionally for community activities. The refurbishment was undertaken by Lane Britton Jenkins.