An all-year-round night shelter for the homeless is to open early next month, Brighton and Hove City Council said.
The night shelter will be run by YMCA DownsLink and the Churches Night Shelter Project and funded by the council.
It will be based at St Patrick’s Church in Cambridge Road, Hove, which has previously been used as a hostel for the homeless.
The council said: “Vulnerable people who’ve been rough sleeping will be brought in from the cold and offered help away from the streets this winter.
“YMCA DownsLink Group has many years’ experience of running supported accommodation services across the city.
“The venue will provide a short-term home for 29 single homeless people while they are helped towards more permanent arrangements.
“It will also run as a night shelter for up to 15 people with a range of support needs.
“There has been dedication and commitment behind the scenes to prepare for the new service. The challenge of finding a suitable building took much effort to resolve. The detailed day-to-day management arrangements are now agreed.”
The council’s Housing Committee approved the plans in September, with the budget having been agreed at the budget council meeting in February.
The council said: “People wishing to use the hostel or night shelter will only be able to access it after engaging with the city’s rough sleeper outreach service. It is not a drop-in service.
“YMCA DownsLink is now writing to people living near by to inform them of the plans for the new service.
“Local residents near the church will also be invited to visit St Patrick’s to meet key staff and hear about how the service will be run.”
The council’s lead member for rough sleeping, Councillor Nikkie Brennan, said: “We’ve brought in a lot of new support to help people to move off the streets but we are determined to do more.
“This good news is another step in the right direction and will bring hope to many people who will find the service a stepping stone to rebuilding their lives.
“We’re determined to provide support for those who are unfortunate enough to be homeless by giving them respect, dignity and help in their struggle to find a home.
What happens to those that refuse help?