By Conor Sharkey

LAST ditch talks aimed at saving Strabane's only homeless shelter from closure will take place later today.

Based at Lisnafin Park, Strabane Association for Temporary Homeless (SATH) is a two tier unit, providing both shelter and support for the homeless or at risk and accommodation for those with mental health issues.

But a significant drop in the number of people presenting themselves at the homeless hostel recently prompted Housing Executive funding body Supporting People to review the service.

And later today, political representatives and SATH staff will meet with funders in a last ditch effort to save at least part of the facility from closure.

It is hoped that job losses will not materialise if there is part closure of any of the facility.

When contacted yesterday (Wednesday) staff at SATH were unwilling to comment.

However a Housing Executive spokesperson admitted that some elements within SATH were under utilised and that the future of the service was currently under review.

Speaking yesterday, councillor Eugene McMenamin said the onus was on the entire Strabane District Council to ensure that all is done to keep the centre open.

"This establishment has been instrumental in helping those who have found themselves homeless for one reason or another.

"I have been to several of their annual meetings and they are a very dedicated team that run this project and they carry out sterling work.

"The question I would be asking is, if this centre is to close and I sincerely hope it isn't, where will those people go who, in the middle of the night have a row with their partner and have to leave their home?

"Because these things do happen and have done for years.

"I, as I'm sure the rest of the Council do, intend to lobby to keep invaluable service open in Strabane," Mr McMenamin said.

A spokesperson for the Council for the Homeless revealed that between May 2007 and April this year, almost 20,000 people in Northern Ireland presented themselves as homeless.