Three hostels for homeless people in Gravesend and Northfleet are set to close. The House of Mercy charity has supported people in the towns for more than 30 years but has run out of cash. Around 20 people could end up on the streets as a result of the move. Michael Donovan is the vice chairman of trustees.
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00:00 very disappointed that we've had to reach this position.
00:03 Yes, if I could wave a wand, obviously,
00:08 I would do just that.
00:10 But no, we don't have any major potential donors.
00:15 And yes, really disappointed for the clients
00:20 we still have at the hostels.
00:22 And of course, for the staff.
00:24 And disappointed for the people who supported us
00:28 over the years with money, with groceries,
00:33 with bedding and things like that.
00:36 But yeah, but we finally reached this position.
00:40 But there are other hostels out there
00:43 which probably don't have the same ethos
00:46 as the House of Mercy.
00:48 It was set up with a no drink, no drugs arrangement,
00:53 but it didn't just provide people
00:56 with a roof over their heads.
00:58 It set out to reintegrate them into society.
01:02 So we would help them get medical assistance,
01:06 dental assistance, help them with obtaining housing benefit.
01:11 We would help them to find jobs.
01:14 We would help them find training, things like that.