Charity hub fears closure after lost funding
BBCA homelessness charity which has been operating for 40 years has said it could be forced to close one of its services after losing funding.
Oasis Community Housing, which also runs under the name Basis, currently has drop-in centres in Gateshead and Sunderland.
But the charity said funding from a number of sources had come to an end and "despite best efforts" replacement investment not been found, meaning it might have to close its Sunderland branch.
Martin Fletcher, who uses the service, said Oasis was "totally different to any of the other organisations that I'd been to" and was needed.
Fletcher had been rough sleeping for more than 20 years before coming to Oasis' Sunderland branch in 2024.
"I walked through those doors with nothing but a birth certificate," he said.
"Within three, four months, I had an identity, I got a bank account, all things that I'd never had."
He said he was devastated by the news of potential closure as it was "a much needed facility".
"It's really a community," he said. "The people really care, which is a big difference."
Oasis Community Housing has been operating in the North East since 1984 and opened its Sunderland service in 2018.
The hub, which currently costs £13,000 per month to run, helps people both at risk of and currently facing homelessness.
CEO Sarah Gorman said: "It's been a really difficult process, partly because we know that we support a high number of people who have got extremely complex needs.
"There are people who really need our love, care and support.
"So we are concerned about their future and where that support will come from."
Oasis Community Housing's Sunderland drop-in centre had previously been supported through a combination of charitable trusts and foundations, government funding, local authority support, and donations from local businesses and individuals.
The charity said it considered a public appeal, but needed a "sustainable investment" to stay open in the long term.
"We are incredibly grateful for that support, which has enabled the service to continue helping some of the most vulnerable people in our community," it said.
It has called for help from "any person of influence, major donor or charitable trust who can help keep this vital service open".
