Southend Night Shelter has urged Basildon Council to start paying its way and support its homeless people.

Staff said they had figures to prove Basildon people were using the shelter after being referred from the council and other organisations in the town.

Basildon Council today (Friday) "categorically denied" it had told people to go to the shelter -- and that was why it would not fund the service.

Chris Terson, treasurer of the York Road shelter, said almost nine per cent of homeless people using the centre claimed they were originally from Basildon.

He claimed the shelter's records showed since July 1998 agencies in Basildon including the police, Citizens Advice Bureau, hospital and council had made referrals to it.

Staff asked Basildon Council for a £9,135 grant in 1998/9 and £7,456 in 1999/2000, but both requests were turned down.

Mr Terson said: "Basildon Council looks after its homeless extremely well but there are people who escape the net and end up at Southend shelter. We have got the figures to prove it.

"We approached them for a grant and for back payments as well and their response was 'no'.

"It seems logical they should contribute if we are looking after ex-Basildon people."

The shelter claimed victory earlier this month when Castle Point Council agreed to make a £4,200 contribution to its £90,000 annual running costs because a small number of people there use the shelter.

The decision is expected to be rubber-stamped on December 11.

Mr Terson said after grants, the shelter still needed to find about £4,000 every month to maintain services.

He said: "Up until a short while ago local people and firms were very responsive but it has really tailed off and we are struggling."

A spokesman for Basildon Council said: "The council categorically denies it refers anyone to Southend Night Shelter.

"The people who come here are dealt with on a local level and referred to local providers such as Single Homeless Accommodation Project in Essex.

"The council funds those to the tune of £100,000 a year. It may be that other Basildon agencies do refer people to the shelter but they are nothing to do with us."

Anyone who wants to make a donation to the shelter can send a cheque payable to Southend Night Shelter to 58 York Road, Southend.

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