Community group staff providing hotels for homeless women

Staff from a local community outreach organization have reportedly been using their own funds to provide temporary lodging for at-risk women. Bridgend Adult Resource Centre (BARC) confirmed that its employees personally paid for accommodation for three women in the past month.

One of the women, 65-year-old Tina Potter, sought assistance from the centre after being evicted from council housing and following an alleged sexual assault. Bridgend Council stated it could not discuss the details of her case but described it as "complex."

Since November 18, Ms. Potter has been staying in a Bridgend bed and breakfast, funded by BARC. She reported being sexually attacked while sleeping in a tent in Porthcawl; the alleged perpetrator has been arrested and is currently on bail. South Wales Police have been contacted for comment.

Afterward, Ms. Potter was placed in a council-run hostel but was later removed following an incident in which she reportedly threw an object at another resident and broke a window. She explained that her actions were in self-defense.

Bridgend Council emphasized that it aims to ensure homeless accommodations are safe for all residents. "Eviction from temporary housing is only considered in the most serious situations, and we work with partner organizations to find alternative support," the council stated.

BARC outreach manager Rebecca Lloyd said that a statutory agency should have provided alternative housing for Ms. Potter. She suggested options like sheltered accommodation or supported living for someone who may be volatile but does not pose a high physical risk.

Ms. Lloyd also noted that temperatures recently dropped to -4C (25F), and if Ms. Potter had been on the streets with her health conditions, the consequences "could have been fatal." Ms. Potter expressed fear and gratitude for BARC's help, saying she would otherwise have been "on the streets, starving."

Plaid Cymru Senedd member Luke Fletcher, aware of the situation, highlighted the shortcomings in the support system and advocated for increased assistance for vulnerable individuals. "Services should ensure there is an alternative option for Tina. We cannot allow someone vulnerable to be exposed to the streets in winter," he stated.

The Welsh government declined to comment on the case.

Author's Commentary: Gaps in Support for Vulnerable Residents

The recent case involving Tina Potter highlights significant shortcomings in local homelessness support systems. Staff at Bridgend Adult Resource Centre (BARC) were forced to use personal funds to provide temporary lodging, demonstrating both dedication and systemic gaps.

Ms. Potter, a 65-year-old woman with health vulnerabilities, experienced multiple unsafe situations, including a reported sexual assault while sleeping outdoors. Despite council involvement, there was no immediate alternative housing that met her needs, forcing BARC staff to intervene directly.

While Bridgend Council stated that evictions from temporary housing occur only in serious cases, the sequence of events shows that current protocols may fail to protect individuals who are at risk but not physically threatening. Outreach manager Rebecca Lloyd emphasized that statutory agencies should provide suitable alternatives, such as sheltered accommodation or supported living, particularly during extreme cold.

The situation underscores the urgent need for coordinated responses between local authorities and support organizations. Advocates, including Plaid Cymru Senedd member Luke Fletcher, have called for increased resources to ensure that vulnerable individuals are not exposed to life-threatening conditions on the streets.

Sources:

• Community group staff 'paying for hotels for homeless women'