A NEW £3.7m hub to tackle rough sleeping in Oxford was officially opened last night.

The city council has worked with housing association A2 Dominion to provide Matilda House in Rymers Lane, Cowley.

It is offering accommodation for 37 residents and is designed to give homeless people access to the support they need to go on to lead fulfilling lives.

The accommodation is made up of two elements.

READ AGAIN: Matilda House shelter opens in Cowley

One is a short-term facility that provides support for 22 homeless people with complex needs, moving them away from the streets and preparing them to sustain independent living.

Oxford Mail:

The other is a ‘move-on’ facility that provides employment and training focused support for 15 people who are progressing from the homeless pathway to support them into fully independent living.

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All the units have en-suite bathroom facilities arranged in clusters with shared kitchen facilities.

Oxford Mail:

The first 22 residents have now moved in and the new centre is part of the council’s strategy to tackle rough sleeping.

Pam Vasir, A2Dominon’s director of supported housing, said: “We hope that Matilda House will be vital to supporting some of the most vulnerable people in Oxford.

Oxford Mail:

Linda Smith, deputy leader and cabinet member for leisure and housing, said: “The council commissioned A2Dominion to run Matilda House and I’m really pleased it’s now open and the first residents have moved in.

"Pooled budget arrangements with the NHS and other Oxfordshire councils and our own funding mean there are about 200 beds available for people experiencing homelessness in Oxford.”