DENS introduces new CrashPods to help the homeless in Hemel Hempstead

DENS has announced a new addition to the emergency sleeping facilities at The Elms hostel in Hemel Hempstead.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the charity's hostel accommodation capacity has been drastically reduced in order to comply with social distancing measures.

This is particularly the case for the Crash Pad facility – which offers emergency overnight shelter when they cannot accommodate people immediately at The Elms.

The new CrashPods, located in the front car park of the hostel, provide self-contained accommodation for a further two people, to help ensure those who would otherwise be facing a dangerous night out in the freezing cold will instead have a warm bed and hot meal for the night.

Further amenities inside the pods include a bathroom with a shower, heating, electricity, a kettle and a television.

Intended only as a temporary solution, DENS will then work with service users to help them find longer-term accommodation, teach basic life and employment skills, and address the root causes of their homelessness.

Watch the video below for a closer look at the CrashPods, with Sean Fitzgerald, Head of Accommodation Services for DENS.

DENS houses, supports and empowers vulnerable single homeless people, and others in crisis, to transform their lives, for more about the accommodation services they provide visit: www.dens.org.uk.

If you are facing homelessness, or know someone who is, call DENS on 01442 275900 or email us on [email protected].