A HOMELESS sanctuary hopes to improve the lives of the homeless in Comet country, by extending and developing the facilities on offer at its Hitchin base.

The North Herts Sanctuary hostel in Nightingale Road has teamed up with homeless charity St Mungo’s to develop and improve the site. St Mungo’s will now manage the sanctuary in partnership with current staff and the trustee board.

The two charities plan to upgrade facilities at the hostel over the next three years.

Gboyega Adetunji, sanctuary project manager, said: “We have been extending our services, and approached St Mungo’s to work with them to further improve the site and services we provide.

“We are looking forward to working together to provide state of the art services and facilities for homeless people in North Herts.”

Open seven nights a week, the sanctuary provides shelter and targeted support for people in need to help them gain the skills and resources to achieve independent living.

Although plans for the refurbishment have not yet been finalised, both charities are currently working together to put those together.

North Herts District Council (NHDC) and Herts County Council (HCC) are also working in partnership with the sanctuary.

Cllr Bernard Lovewell, NHDC portfolio holder for housing and environmental health, said: “Solving the problem of homelessness is about more than putting a roof over someone’s head and our priority is to ensure there is a quality, cost effective support service in our community.

“We are very pleased to have helped develop this new joint venture between North Herts Sanctuary and St Mungo’s, and I am confident it will be a successful one.”

An open day will also be held at the sanctuary for landlords in North Herts to secure housing for residents who are ready to move on to permanent accommodation.

It will be held on Friday, December 16 between 11am and 1pm or 3.30pm and 5.30pm.