Deptford homelessness charity secures £80k funding boost

With the support of Lewisham Council, 999 Club has been awarded £79,200 of funding from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to redevelop their centre and help provide vital services to homeless people.

Based in Deptford, 999 Club is a charity that provides advice, advocacy and support for people in Lewisham and south London who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless.

Subject to planning permission, the funding will be used by 999 Club to develop a purpose-built community space that staff and volunteers can use to provide vital support services in a safe and inclusive environment. As part of the redevelopment, 999 Club plans to build new residential units on-site, providing much-needed homes in the borough and helping to tackle the housing crisis facing London.

999 Club will now begin detailed consultation work with the local community, as well as people using their services, to design a building that is fit for purpose, before applying for planning permission.

Tom Neumark, CEO of 999 Club, said: “The world has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic and 999 Club has too. We used to provide a night shelter for people who would otherwise be sleeping rough, we now run a busy day centre supporting around 50 people a day who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing it. This grant will enable us to provide both high-quality support and self-contained accommodation. We are looking forward to working with the local community to design a scheme that works for everyone.”

Cllr Will Cooper, Cabinet Member for Housing Management and Homelessness, said: “999 Club do vital work in Lewisham to support people who are homeless, sleeping rough or at risk of losing their home. Working in partnership with charities like 999 Club is a crucial part of our work to reduce homelessness and rough sleeping in the borough and I am delighted that we have been able to help them secure this funding. I look forward to seeing the plans for the future of the centre progress and continuing to work closely with 999 Club to ensure everybody in Lewisham has a safe, secure place to call home.”