A new £1.7m hostel for homeless people has been opened in Londonderry.

The facility, in Derry city, replaces the previous hostel on the Bond’s Hill site.

Social Development Margaret Ritchie said the old premises had "served its purpose well, but added that it had come to the end of its useful life".

"This new modern accommodation will provide better facilities and better support for all who live here," she said.

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"Not having a home, for whatever reason, is a traumatic event in anyone's life. That is why accommodation and support like this is so important."

Ulidia Housing Association, along with the Simon Community worked together on the project to provide new, state-of-the-art accommodation and support services at the new hostel which was originally housed within adjoining terraced houses at Bond’s Hill.

Built behind the original listed facade, the new accommodation provides 15 single bedrooms and two staff bedrooms, with four shared kitchens and other communal facilities.

(PR/KMcA)