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Better Services By Design
A key part of the Places of Change agenda is making sure that the physical spaces in which services for homeless people are delivered - hostels, day centres etc - provide the best environment for service users to take positive action to improve their lives and engage in meaningful occupation.
The Department of Communities & Local Government (CLG) is funding organisations through the Places of Change Programme (PCP) to deliver improved building design that will revolutionise working practices in hostels and resource centres. Homeless Link's regional managers are working to support this.
Building plans for new hostels
Arclight, York
- Arclight is currently building a temporary accommodation scheme in York to replace dormitory provision. There are many innovative and well thought out features in this building. Tours are likely to commence from Autumn 2008. ground floor plan; first floor plan; second floor plan
- Virginia House is an accommodation scheme under development in Newcastle, which aims to transform the current provision to make the building more inclusive and less institutionalised. ground floor plans; first floor plans
- Liverpool Mens Direct Access Centre is a new build project combining accommodation with training facilities and a welcoming environment. Design from front of building; Design from side of building; street scene; ground floor; first floor
Good Practice Examples
Focus Futures' new Snow Hill hostel and foyer are both examples of good accommodation design, although neither are HCIP funded projects. See Focus Futures hostel and foyer.