Background to Edward Street Hostel
In the 1970s a local general practitioner, Dr. Robert Hadden, initiated the idea of providing a hostel in Portadown for alcoholics and others in need of overnight shelter. Though he did not live to see the opening of a hostel a sum of money was provided from his estate towards the initial costs of providing such accommodation.
A voluntary Management Committee was formed to look for suitable premises. After a number of disappointments, the Open Door Housing Association offered to buy premises for the project at No.21 Edward Street, Portadown and to enter into a Joint Management Agreement with the Management Committee to run the Project.
A company limited by guarantee, ‘Edward Street Hostel Ltd’ was then formed, however, there were lengthy delays in the release of government funding for the renovation of the premises and eventually the Management Committee decided in frustration to use the ground floor of No.21 as a night shelter before renovation and to employ ACE workers as overnight staff.
Edward Street Hostel finally opened in October 1981 as a night shelter with 5 bed spaces.
In 1982 it was decided that the needs of the residents would be met more fully by providing a service 24 hours a day and with the assistance of a grant from the Southern Health and Social Services Board two full time project workers were appointed.
Since October 1982, Edward Street Hostel has been open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
When funding was finally acquired for the renovation of No.21 the residents moved to No.32 Edward Street, which had also been acquired by Open Door Housing Association to be used as a semi independent Resettlement House.
The renovation of No.21 to provide accommodation for up to 15 single homeless persons, both male and female, was completed in August 1985 and with the continuing financial assistance of the Southern Health and Social Services Board the number of full-time project workers was increased to three.
Today Edward Street Hostel Ltd employs 32 staff and has a wide range of support services for single homeless and other socially excluded groups. We have three residential projects in Portadown, ranging from a direct access hostel to semi-independent flats and two residential projects in Armagh called Linen Court.
We have a Floating Support scheme, which provides support for 16 to 25 year olds enabling them to acquire and maintain accommodation with the community.
Through Key 2 Resource Centre, training in a wide range of essential life skills is provided for all our service users and other agencies.
Edward Street Hostel Ltd has three Joint Management Partners in Open Door Housing Association, Ulidia Housing Association and Habinteg Housing Association. It is funded by Supporting People, The Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Probation Board (NI) and Health and Social Service Trusts.
We have been in existence for Twenty-Five years and look forward to meeting the challenges of the next Twenty Five.
