The old school is now the temporary home of Parramatta Mission's Hope Hostel, which provides shelter and care for about 400 homeless men every year.

The school building on the corner of O'Connell and Albert streets has been converted as accommodation and the old Hope Hostel building in nearby Fleet Street is demolished and rebuilt.

The Mission's overseer of men's services, Michael Wright, is well pleased with the new facility.

``The Office of Community housing purchased the old Parramatta Infants School and then set about bringing it up to an acceptable standard for us,'' Mr Wright told the Sun.

``They've really done a great job.

``Keeping Hope Hostel in Parramatta was a really important issue and, for temporary accommodation, it's pretty good.''

It's almost as though the old school was purpose-built for conversion to a hostel for the homeless.

It will be in use until the new Hope Hostel is completed by November 2010.

All the spaces are large and the proportions of the various old classrooms, offices, bathrooms and other school facilities are generous.

The hostel has beds for 25, four of which are in the intoxicated persons unit.

The other 21 are spread across three dormitory-style rooms, which were once classrooms.

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The dormitory-style sleeping accommodation may not be ideal, but it's clean and comfortable.

Mr Wright said there were no curfews.

``We just ask them to let us know if they are coming back late,'' he said. ``As much as possible, it's their home it's not our home. The more you can make it a home the more you have the chance of people feeling that comfort.''