King's Lynn Night Shelter facing closure due to lack of funding

Neither the government nor West Norfolk Council have decided to fund the homeless shelter this year

The night shelter off Blackfriars
Author: Owen Sennitt, Local Democracy Reporting ServicePublished 24th Oct 2023

A Norfolk town’s homeless shelter is at risk of closing after it was refused government and council funding.

The King’s Lynn Night Shelter, which is set to open for the winter period next month, has received no public money to support its work this year.

It was denied £100,000 from the government’s Department for Leveling Up, Housing and Communities and West Norfolk Council has also not provided the £30,000 it has in previous years.

Co-ordinator Lucy McKitterick said: “We have been surprised by the decision.

“Our work supports those who may fall between the cracks so it is important that we work together.

“We hope they will change their minds so we can continue to stay open this winter.”

West Norfolk Council has said it works and funds with a range of providers to support homeless people.

It also says that while it acknowledges the important work of the night shelter, its decision to decline funding is due to a change in approach focussing on more preventative strategies to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.

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