Hamilton homeless to get soft beds

By Melissa Moxon

HAMILTON - Life is about to get a little easier for men living rough on the streets of Hamilton, with the city's first night shelter for men due to open in three weeks.

The 15-bed Hamilton Christian Night Shelter is an initiative of the Methodist City Mission. It is located in a converted Rostrevor St house which is on loan from a local businessman.

The idea for a shelter was prompted by the 1995 New Empire Hotel fire that killed six in Frankton.

City Mission manager Michelle Beavan said social agencies were concerned about the loss of many of Hamilton's cheap hotels and the dangers for those living on the streets.

Tramp Trevor "Snow" McLisky, aged 73, was bashed to death in a shed on the former hotel site in July last year.

Michelle Beavan said there was no similar shelter available for women because in more than two years she had come across only two homeless women.

"Women are more resourceful, and men are more likely to be alienated from their families. The emotional connections are different."

Michelle Beavan said the number of homeless people nationwide was growing, but it was impossible to know how many there were.

"We tried to do some research, but you can't get homeless people into a focus group. I think because we're opening in spring we won't get really busy until autumn."

Men who stay the night will receive breakfast and medical assistance. They will also be helped to find transitional housing and to process their welfare claims.

The trust running the shelter is seeking sponsors.