A hostel for vulnerable women and children in Palmerston North is to close because the Salvation Army says it is not financiallyviable and the money will be better spent on other services.
Captain Allan Clark, in charge of the Salvation Army of Palmerston North corps, said the women’s hostel would shut by the end of June.
Clark was unable to say how many people the Housing NZ-owned home catered for in a year, nor how much it cost to run, but did say it had been “financially unsustainable” for years.
Changes to the Ministry of Social Development’s funding meant there was “a great deal of uncertainty” about future funds. The Salvation Army had to cut costs and the hostel was a large one that helped relatively few people, he said.
“We need to help more people at reduced operating costs.”
Mr Clark said up to four needy families would stay at the house.
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