A NEW centre for rough sleepers will be built in Brighton.

The centre, paid for with £630,000 of government money, will provide shelter for homeless people.

It is expected to be up and running by the spring.

The Government says the new centre will help vulnerable people sleeping rough in Brighton and Hove get the specialist support they need to recover from life on the streets.

People battling mental health problems or addiction will also be able to get help.

Brighton is one of 11 cities across England chosen for one of the new centres, which are part of the government’s £100 million project to tackle rough sleeping.

Communities Secretary James Brokenshire said: “No one should ever have to face a night on the streets.

“The new centre will mean vulnerable people sleeping rough in Brighton will have somewhere safe to stay while they recover from life on the streets.

“These are vulnerable people, often dealing with complex mental health problems and addictions. They require specialist help to truly tackle these issues head on and turn their lives around.

“That’s why these vital new centres will ensure those on the streets have access to professional help and to start their recovery.”

Campaigner against homelessness Jim Deans is generally supportive of the new centre.

But he believes more should be done to tackle the underlying causes of rough sleeping.

He said: “The more we do, the better.

“But what’s the point of taking people in and but you’re unable to accommodate them?

“The woman’s refuge opened, now it’s full.

“The other new centre opened, now it’s full.

“They’ll make this massive announcement and two weeks later, they’ll be full. This is a housing problem, not a homeless problem.”

It means Brighton will have two rough-sleeping centres, one run by charity St Mungo’s and another for women only which is aimed at tackling complex needs.

The second centre will be run by domestic abuse charity Rise.

The council said: “We have a range of services designed to meet the complex needs of the individuals who are rough sleeping in our city and we know we’re making a positive difference.

“At the same time, many people still end up rough sleeping and we are taking action to provide the support they need.”

“Having been successful in our latest bid for government funding, we have plans in place for how we can best use the grant. This will include a two-hub model which will allow us to continue operating an assessment-based service hub run by St Mungo’s and an additional hub which will be delivered by domestic abuse charity RISE.”