In 1977 Nottingham became one of the first cities in the country to build a hostel specifically for homeless families.
More than 40 years later, the hostel is at full capacity catering for families who have found themselves in the worst possible scenario.
The dedicated team of staff who work at the facility, which is based in St Ann's, work tirelessly to support the families and help them get back on their feet.
Highwood House, in Cranmer Street, has 29 self-contained apartments and can sleep up to 134 people in total.
It has a crèche area for children to play, laundry facilities and staff on site all day every day.
It is used specifically for families who find themselves with no other option.
Nottingham City Homes run the hostel and it is used alongside 100 properties, also bought by NCH, scattered across the city.
NCH has recently bought 50 more houses across the city to help with the increased numbers of people finding themselves homeless.
The manager of Highwood House is Andy Miller, who has worked in homelessness for 28 years.
He said: "The aim for us is to move people through the system as quickly as possible and for the staff to give them help as quickly as possible.
"The average stay time is dependant on the circumstances of the family. If it is a large family it may take longer to find a suitable house.
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"We are always at full capacity here. If we are not it means there are families having to live in bed and breakfasts and that is not what we want.
"When they are here they have their independence. They have their own kitchens and bathrooms and privacy and they are close to the centre of town."
Families stay in the temporary accommodation while the council assesses their needs and finds suitable housing.
Whilst they are residents of the hostel, staff help families with support in housing, finances, education, work, health and any type of training.
There are eight members of support staff who work in the building as well as one caretaker and two cleaners.
Mr Miller said the service relies on donations from the public.
He said: "We take in all sorts and it all helps. We house a lot of families with young children so things like push chairs, baby clothes, toys and nappies are all very useful. We rarely turn anything away.
"We have had a donation of easter eggs recently which will be lovely for all the families with young children.
"It is important for the children to continue living life like a child should and that is very important to us."
Homeless families are a priority due to the fact that children are quite often involved.
Staff at Highwood House said they thought people's perception of homelessness had changed in recent years.
Mr Miller added: "I think more people realise that anyone can become homeless, if you have a bad landlord, get made redundant or if you get sanctioned through universal credit. It can all affect you.
"There has been a rise recently in those becoming homeless and this hostel is always full. It is just important that people remember that people who are living here and going through this are human too."
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