Cheltenham YMCA receives 拢3.3m for work with homeless

Image caption, The Cheltenham YMCA currently offers 56 units of accommodation

A Gloucestershire homeless shelter has received a funding boost of 拢3.3m to improve facilities for rough sleepers.

Cheltenham YMCA received the largest grant from a pot of 拢37.5m shared between 37 homeless projects in the UK.

David Wallace, chief executive of the YMCA, said the money was needed to build 73 new accommodation units as demand in the town far exceeded supply.

The funding was announced on Wednesday as part of the government's Homelessness Change programme.

'Big future'

Elsewhere in western England, the Riverside ECHG scheme in Bristol is to receive 拢613,000 and two YMCA centres in Bridgwater, Somerset, are to receive 拢719,000 and 拢317,000.

Mr Wallace said they were currently doing "the best they can" in the out-of-date YMCA Cheltenham building which has 56 small rooms lacking in quality.

"This will undoubtedly give the whole housing project a big future and serve young people for years to come," he said.

"We are very much in demand and by having additional accommodation we should be able to meet some of that demand with modern accommodation."