The Salvation Army yesterday reassured homeless people that they will not be turned out of the shelter in Hamilton on Christmas Day.

Salvation Army leader Major Lindsay Rowe spoke out after residents at the shelter started a petition, apparently under the impression that the building will be closed tomorrow.

But Maj. Rowe said while the 80 bed dormitory in Marsh Lane will be closed during the day, the dining room and day centre will remain open.

He said that if the dormitory remained open it would have to be supervised by staff paid at double time and a half, costing the Army at least $600.

"There is no way anyone is being put out on the street," Maj. Rowe told The Royal Gazette. "The dining room and the day centre will remain open and people can come and go as they like, they just can't lie in bed all day."

The dormitory would also have to be cleaned every day if they used during the day, he added.

The dormitory will re-open at 5 p.m. until 8.30 a.m. next morning.

The Army will be providing free breakfasts on Christmas morning, and will be working with St. Paul AME Church, which will be serving dinners throughout the day.