PUBLIC objections and problems with funding have plagued the proposed Wet Hostel in Island Bay, but living next door to one isn’t so bad, says a London-based Wellingtonian.
Carmen Allnutt moved to London five months ago, and is renting a house next-door to St Mungo’s Wet Hostel in Clapham, a homeless shelter that allows occupants to drink alcohol in a supported environment.
“They’re fine and they don’t cause trouble, but I have noticed during the day they hang around outside drinking. They can be a bit drunk, but they all know each other and the locals know who they are,” Allnutt says. “There’s no liquor ban where I live anyway, so there’s lots of people (other than from St Mungo’s) drinking at bus stops and on the street.”
Based on her experiences living next to the Wet Hostel in London, Allnutt supports the idea of New Zealand’s first Wet Hostel in Island Bay.
“You do get the occasional ‘how are ya love’, but you can get heckled by anyone. Kids catch the bus from right outside, and there’s a primary school behind it. There’s mum’s walking the kids to school and there’s no problems.”
But Wellington’s Wet Hostel is in doubt after the Trust set up to establish it pulled out of the funding contract with Wellington City Council and Capital Coast District Health Board.
Councillor Iona Pannett says the Trust is now seeking alternative funding. “The council’s future role will be regulatory. I still remain supportive of the [Wet Hostel] because there’s a huge need for this housing.”