A NEW app will soon allow people to give food and shelter vouchers to the homeless.

Pocket Angel will be available to download in Brighton on May 21.

It will be tested in the city before launching nationally later in the year.

Alcia Loach, who developed the app, said the idea came from her daily commutes past homeless people.

She said: “I get asked every day if I can buy them a sandwich or a drink, but often I’m too busy.

“That was a lightbulb moment for me. What if there was an app where I could give the homeless a gift card?”

The app will allow users to give out a meal or accommodation voucher in several ways.

After buying a voucher on the app, it generates a six-digit code that can be used by a homeless person to buy a meal or stay the night at a shelter.

The voucher can also be printed out at home and then given to a rough sleeper.

Alternatively, vouchers can be given to a local homeless charity for it to hand out or shared via social media for a friend to give.

When the voucher is taken into a business by a homeless person, the business simply redeems the voucher on its app.

The app is supported by computer giant Hewlett Packard Enterprises, where Alcia as a technical consultant.

She said dozens of businesses in Brighton had already expressed interest in partnering with her for the app and she hoped to see more attend Pocket Angel’s launch at the Hilton Metropole on May 21.

She has spent the last two years researching the app and designing a prototype.

Alcia then raised more than £5,000 thanks to a campaign on crowdfunding website Gofundme, as well as taking part in a sponsored rough sleep at The Macs Farm in Ditchling last year.

Marketing students from the University of Brighton are helping to promote the app.

Dan Bennett, undergraduate programme leader, said the app was a “worthwhile” project for students to get involved in.

He said: “Homelessness is a massive social issue, especially in Brighton, and we are delighted to have the chance to support this important development working

alongside the Pocket Angel team.”

You can donate to the app at https://www.gofundme.com/app-for-homeless-rough-sleepers