A HOMELESS charity helping vulnerable people in Colchester and Clacton has closed.

The April Centre offered advice on housing and welfare benefits, and provided privately- rented accommodation. It ran centres in Mersea Road and Colne Bank Avenue, Colchester, and had accommodation in Edith Road, Clacton.

The charity, which closed unexpectedly on Thursday, is believed to have gone into administration.

A landlord, who asked not to be named, who rented out his property through the April Centre, said he had not been paid in several months.

Simon Collyer, 59, started using the centre about threeand- a-half years ago when he became homeless.

He said: “It helped me when I was at my lowest. They were very caring and very nice people.

It is a massive loss for Colchester, many people are going to be homeless.”

Mr Collyer has reached an agreement with his private landlord and can continue living in his home, but says other tenants could be evicted soon.

Tendring Council officers have met with centre bosses and the owners of the properties used by the centre in Clacton.

The council’s Nigel Brown said: “Subject to speaking with the administrators, the aim is to employ the manager in her role to provide continuity.

“The council’s housing options team will work with the manager and residents to bring about a controlled closure of the scheme in Edith Road and help residents into alternative accommodation following a full assessment of their options.” Paul Honeywood, Tendring councillor responsible for housing, said he would be glad to see the centre close after problems with antisocial behaviour.

He said: “It is not good for the town having something like that here and it is in the wrong place.”

April Centre residents who have not lived in Clacton long enough to qualify for housing benefits under the council’s residency rules could be sent back to their home towns.

Mr Honeywood said: “We will be working on a case-by-case basis to relocate them. Why should local taxpayers pick up the bill?”

Labour's Clacton parliamentary candidate Tim Young, who is also a Colchester councillor responsible for community safety, said: "The collapse of the April Centre will be devastating for the vulnerable tenants who have relied on this charitable organisation for their homes.

"It literally puts the roofs over their heads at risk."

Mr Young blamed the Tory-Lib Dem coalition for not building enough affordable homes over the past five years. 

Karen Loweman, director of housing at Colchester Borough Homes, said its housing options team would help anyone affected by the charity’s closure.

The charity’s phone number diverts to its answerphone, asking people to contact night shelters if they are homeless.

The Gazette was not able to contact anyone at the April Centre.