Manchester City Council is activating its plans for cold weather this winter to ensure that there is a warm space indoors for people who want one when the weather is below zero.
Every year, the Council, working alongside Manchester Homelessness Partnership and health services, provides additional accommodation during periods of severe cold weather, so that no one has to sleep outside in freezing weather.
Year-round provision, funded by Manchester City Council , at Etrop Grange hotel in Wythenshawe already exists to help people off the street and into accommodation with support services in place to help them move on. However, we know that in periods of extreme cold weather more people are likely to accept an offer to come inside.
From November 1, these efforts are enhanced and 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 work year-round to help people off the streets, giving them access to the support they need to help them get on with their lives.
However, as it gets colder, people are more likely to accept help and come inside. This is why we expand our outreach offer and our officers, along with partner agencies, work into the early hours seeking out people who have bedded down so that we can offer them the opportunity to come indoors and access additional support.
This is especially important as sometimes coming inside in cold weather is the impetus that they need to accept help that we, along with our partners, can provide. It is often the first step on the road to a better, healthier future.”
Amanda Croome, Head of Homelessness for Caritas, 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.
"All year round we work alongside the Council to support their provision and to help people in Manchester who find themselves homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. That support can comprise many different aspects, from finding new homes, day and evening/weekend services with free food, showers, specialist advice and supported accommodation. It also includes access to vital health and wellbeing services and expert drop-ins.
"Anyone can become homeless at any time, for a wide range of reasons - whether that's changes to financial circumstances, accidents, sudden unemployment, or no-fault evictions. But, everyone deserves a safe, secure place to call home and we're incredibly grateful to local people, businesses and other organisations who support these charities to make sure that people get the assistance they need to find and keep tenancies of their own."
If you're concerned about someone that you have seen sleeping rough in Manchester please contact Manchester City Council homelessness
More information on MHP - Manchester Homelessness Partnership