2 days Ago
Emergency accommodation is being provided to Bolton's homeless who are sleeping rough after temperatures plummeted this week. Temperatures dropped below zero for the first time this winter. On Monday, Bolton Council initiated SWEP - severe weather emergency protocol - to provide emergency accommodation for homeless sleeping rough in freezing temperatures.
Under the protocol, emergency accommodation will be provided for rough sleepers so they can spend the night in warmth, get a hot meal, and access a bathroom. Short-term lodging will be opened along with 56 temporary housing units part of Greater Manchester’s A Bed Every Night scheme aiming to help rough sleepers. Bolton Council initiated the SWEP protocol after Monday’s snowfall and freezing temperatures.
There will be additional provision for rough sleepers from December to April “regardless of whether emergency SWEP protocols are triggered or not”. A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “ Bolton Council initiated SWEP for rough sleepers yesterday. This is a mixture of emergency and communal facilities, some staffed and some self-contained.
“The existing 56 units of A Bed Every Night accommodation are being supplemented with additional short-term emergency places where people can spend the night in the warm and get a hot meal and access to a bathroom. “The council and its partner agencies aim to support people through respite and recovery and prevent them from returning to the streets wherever possible." Bolton Council’s Executive Member for Transport, Housing and Highways, Councillor Hamid Khurram, said: “As temperatures drop, this is a worrying time for anyone sleeping rough outside and we have extensive plans to support them.
“That’s why additional provision will be in place for rough sleepers from December all the way to April, and this will remain open regardless of whether the emergency SWEP protocols are triggered or not. “Providing such extensive support is only possible when organisations and charities work together, and I want to thank all our valued partners. “We are committed to no one having to sleep outside in Bolton no matter their circumstance this winter.
” ALSO READ: Temporary accommodation “like Ibiza” for man who slept rough in a tent ALSO READ: Hundreds of Bolton children in temporary accommodation ALSO READ: Shelter reveals Bolton has sixth worst homeless rate in North West Billa Ahmed, co-founder of Bolton charity Homeless Aid UK , said: “Bolton Council are amazing because as soon as SWEP gets triggered, they open up temporary accommodation all over the borough to get the people off the street. “With the growing number of people that are homeless, the council are doing everything that they can. “The people that I help are just so glad that they can be out of the cold or extreme weather when it gets triggered.
” A Bolton Council spokesperson said: " “Last winter, between November and February, additional SWEP support was provided for 59 nights, accommodating 78 people. “Anyone who comes across a rough sleeper can alert the council in confidence by emailing [email protected].
uk, telephoning the Housing Options Services on 01204 335900, or via www.streetlink.org.
uk. “The council will need a clear description of the person, along with the location, date and time they were sleeping. “Most people who beg on the streets are not rough sleepers, with most having accommodation and being well known to the support services.
” “Rather than giving spare change, the best way to support people in need is to give to Bolton’s Help 4 Change initiative, which is run by a partnership of organisations and charities. “Look for the Help 4 Change collection tins on shop counters throughout the town centre, or visit www.boltonhopeforchange.
org.uk".
