Manchester’s cold weather plans to help get people rough sleeping indoors and out of freezing temperatures are now operational.
Every year plans to provide a warm space for people who want to come inside during periods of severe cold weather are put in place.
The Council, working alongside Manchester Homelessness Partnership and health services, provides additional accommodation which this year includes an additional number of women-only accommodation spaces in addition to the general accommodation options.
Although during winter people are more likely to accept an offer to come inside, help is available all year round at Etrop Grange in Wythenshawe where wrap around support services are also on hand to help people get ready to move on.
From November 1, council officers alongside Manchester Homelessness Partnership members operate a system of increased outreach.
When the weather is forecast to drop below zero, even for one day, severe weather emergency protocol is called leading to increased outreach which operates until 4.30am. This allows officers to support people into accommodation paving the way to connect them with any additional support that they need and carry out housing assessment to find a suitable move on pathway.
Councillor Joanna Midgley, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council said:
“We offer help all year round, but we know that our winter plans, provided in partnership with the Manchester Homelessness Partnership, are a lifesaver during the coldest months of the year.
“People do not have to sleep outside when the temperature is at its coldest. There will always be a warm space provided by the council and its partners who work tirelessly during this time of year to reach out to people. Bringing people off the street is often their first step in accepting an offer of help and additional support that may change the course of their future lives.
“I am pleased that this year we’re able to offer a small number of women-only accommodation spaces alongside our general offer as we know that women are more likely to accept an offer of help to come off the street if this type of accommodation is available to them.”
Amanda Croome, Head of Homelessness for Caritas Salford, speaking on behalf of Manchester Homelessness Partnership, said:
“There are a range of charities that support people experiencing homelessness in our city, coordinated through the Manchester Homeless Partnership. The support we provide occurs all year round and is truly holistic – from health and wellbeing to expert specialist advice, free food and showers, and supported accommodation. But at this time of year, as the weather worsens, it’s arguably more important than ever that people know where they can come so they aren’t having to sleep rough and to get the rounded, comprehensive support they need.”
“Homelessness, or the experiences of people at risk of becoming homeless can vary significantly and any one of us could be in that situation at any time. We work with people who have suddenly found themselves without a safe, secure place to call home following breakdowns of relationships, accidents or illnesses, no-fault evictions or changes to their employment that are out of their control.
“But, at the heart of all of our work is that, whatever has led people to this point in their journey, we want to ensure that anyone locally is able to access the support they need, both at a time of acute crisis and for the long-term too as they transform their lives. By working together with the Council and our other partners, and with the amazing support of businesses and individuals that support charities like ours, we are able to make sure people get the important assistance they need to find and keep tenancies of their own.”
Report someone sleeping rough in Manchester via the Street Link website, www.thestreetlink.org.uk