PROPERTIES in Rhyl which are owned by a charity providing temporary accommodation, which is currently subject to a government inquiry, appear to have been left “abandoned”.
Big Help Project, whose activities include providing accommodation to vulnerable adults, is being investigated by The Charity Commission, which regulates registered charities in England and Wales.
It has had multiple sites in Rhyl, including on River Street, where some households were moved from last month, and on Vale Road, where it opened a “community hub” at the former home of The Prince of Wales pub last September.
But numerous people have contacted the Journal claiming that Big Help’s properties on River Street, and its hub on Vale Road, seem to have been closed up.
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Numerous attempts for comment were requested to both Big Help Project and Denbighshire County Council, but both organisations declined to give a statement.
Only three weeks ago, Denbighshire County Council said it was still placing people in temporary emergency accommodation managed by Big Help Project.
One resident said: “It’s heart-breaking seeing the places close down, from being the best hostels to being madly managed and empty.
“A large Big Help van was taking all of the fridges from the hub, and items from houses.
“The houses were in bad condition, having always been perfect and clean previously. Beds were left outside, which is horrid.”
A second added: “There are no signs saying the hub on Vale Road is shut, and some windows are open, but I noticed a missing door handle and broken tiles that might indicate it's no longer in use or not being maintained.
"Tiles had come up, and other than open windows, there were no signs of life at the property."
On River Street, the witness said that one property “in the same colour scheme as the hub on Vale Road” now seems to have been “abandoned”.
Likewise, a third resident said that the Vale Road hub now seems to be “all closed up”.
Big Help Holiday Homes Ltd, a company whose registered address is 48 River Street, Rhyl (where one of its properties is located), applied to be struck off and dissolved in April.
Voluntary strike-off action was then suspended a week later after an objection was submitted.
Its hub on Vale Road was opened to offer such services as food clubs, drop-in advice services, and wellbeing activities.
The Charity Commission first engaged with Big Help Project after identifying a significant increase in its reported income.
It then identified concerns regarding trustee decision making, potential unauthorised trustee benefit and unmanaged conflicts of interest.
A report will be published by the department following the conclusion of the inquiry.
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