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Greater Manchester councils back region-wide homelessness plan
Civic leaders across Greater Manchester have backed the region’s first ever homelessness strategy, following a public consultation on the plans.
The new strategy, published by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), lays out a long-term vision to reduce the number of people finding themselves at risk of homelessness.
The strategy, which was consulted on this spring, sets out five missions that Greater Manchester partner organisations are committed to working towards to prevent homelessness:
- Everyone can access and sustain a home that is safe, decent, accessible and affordable
- Everyone leaves our places of care with a safe place to go
- Everyone can access quality advice, advocacy and support to prevent homelessness
- People experiencing homelessness have respite, recovery and reconnection support
- Homelessness is never an entrenched or repeat experience
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An action plan is expected to be published on the strategy next month.
Andy Burnham, the region’s mayor, has made homelessness a focus of his and, in 2018, launched the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme.
Mr Burnham said: “I’m proud of the achievement of all our partners across the city region in significantly reducing rough sleeping over the last four years, but as well as continuing to support those in need, we need to address the causes of homelessness. This is why good homes, jobs and health are key to this strategy, which will help us make a further dent in reducing homelessness.”
Paul Dennett, GMCA lead on housing and homelessness, added: “It’s a completely new approach to public service delivery that is collaborative, integrated and embeds lived experiences, whilst ensuring that people in need don’t fall through the gaps as they move from one service to another.”
Greater Manchester’s leaders are also working on delivering 30,000 zero-carbon homes for social rent, with a detailed delivery plan due to be published within a year, the GMCA said.
The GMCA consists of 10 Greater Manchester councils.
