A new safe and stable home has been opened for rough sleepers in Plymouth.

Plymouth homelessness charity Path’s s third ‘MARS’ (Multi-Agency Rough Sleeper) House is offering private en-suite rooms for residents who have faced the harsh realities of street homelessness, often alongside long-term health challenges, trauma and multiple disadvantages.

This project has been commissioned by Plymouth City Council with funding from the government’s Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP), alongside funding from the charity.

Each resident will be supported by a dedicated worker to help them move towards longer-term housing and independence.

Becky Saxton, head of housing at Path, said: "For many residents of our new house, this will be the first time in years that they have had a place of their own — somewhere they can begin to feel secure and rebuild their lives. This project reflects Path's commitment to working alongside partners to create genuinely life-changing housing opportunities for some of the most vulnerable people in our community."

The new accommodation is exclusively for people who have been sleeping rough. Residents are referred by Path’s rough sleeper outreach team, who meet individuals on the streets and support them to move into accommodation.

The house offers private bedrooms including TV and kitchenette, a large shared kitchen-diner, a courtyard that will be furnished for use in warmer months, and shared laundry facilities.

On-site staff are present throughout the day, including a dedicated support worker who coordinates a programme of activities such as cooking, gardening and budgeting sessions to help residents rebuild skills and confidence.

Path supported 421 people sleeping rough in Plymouth last year, meeting urgent needs and helping them take steps to move off the streets. Their three dedicated MARS houses now provide safe accommodation and intensive support for 20 people whose long‑term rough sleeping and highly complex needs mean they have very few other housing options.

Plymouth is experiencing a severe housing crisis, with the number of people sleeping rough having doubled since 2023. In 2024, Path helped almost 1,700 people facing homelessness across the city.

Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet member for housing, communities and cooperative development at Plymouth City Council, said “Solving the problem of rough sleeping takes more than just providing a door, a roof and a bed for people. The work that Path is doing in their MARS houses demonstrates that. To break the cycle of rough sleeping, people need the time and support necessary to help them maintain accommodation and thrive. I’ve had the privilege of meeting some of Path’s residents and team and have seen for myself the difference that is made in transforming lives. I would like to thank Path for everything they do in partnership with the council and others to help tackle homelessness in Plymouth.”

Path's Rough Sleeping Service works at the front line of this challenge, providing outreach, specialist support, and now a growing network of dedicated properties to help people off the streets and into stability.

For more information about Path’s work, visit www.pathdevon.org