'A bed every night' proposal to end rough sleeping in Burnley

The report is in response to Labour’s motion that was passed in February which was supplemented by the allocation of a budget provision.

The report proposes the implementation of a temporary housing scheme ‘A Bed Every Night’. This will provide 10 fully furnished properties in Burnley with a support worker assisting at least 60 clients in a twelve month period.

Coun. Afrasiab Anwar who moved the original motion, said: “I am pleased that the council's Executive Committee has responded positively to the motion and the serious concerns raised by homeless support workers in the borough.

"This is a significant step in the right direction as we look to end the stain on a civilised society of rough sleeping within our borough.

It is imperative now that the momentum is maintained with the council working in partnership with charities and volunteers. I will be monitoring the scheme closely to ensure it delivers for those in desperate need.”

The issue of homelessness and rough slpeeing in Burnley has been highlighted this year, notably thanks to the efforts of Pastor Mick Fleming, from Church on the Street in Burnley, who said that more needed to be done to tackle homelessness in the town, and called for a night shelter to be opened.

The council said it had a comprehensive range of services to prevent and relieve homelessness and was working with partners to provide advice and support needed by society’s most vulnerable members.

Since July 2019 the council has funded the post of a rough sleeper navigator, based at the Calico Gateway project in Burnley.