Homeless people to be offered shelter in empty council buildings

The decision came after 600 people called a petition demanding the authority provide shelter

HOMELESS people are to be offered shelter for the night this winter – in empty council buildings.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council is opening its abandoned buildings to provide overnight accommodation for rough sleepers.
It follows a 600-name petition calling on the authority to provide shelter.
Now council officials are identifying buildings for the project. They will be staffed by experts, although it is not clear how people will be referred to the service.
City councillor Anthony Munday said: "None of us want to see people freezing to death on the streets.
"We have been looking to open up one of our buildings to provide shelter for rough sleepers for the winter months, and we have now identified a couple of buildings which could provide a solution.
"I have spoken to church representatives and people sleeping rough is obviously an issue here. Our aim is to get these buildings opened before Christmas."
The move has been welcomed by homeless people on the streets of Hanley.
Daniel, aged 30, who comes from Newcastle but has been homeless for two years, said: "I became homeless after my relationship broke down and I got depressed. I am sleeping in shop doorways or at the old bus station in Hanley – anywhere I can find shelter from the wind and rain. It's a good idea if the council opened up some of its empty buildings for people like myself and I would definitely use it. I am worried my body might just give up one day and I might not wake up. It does happen."
Latest figures show there are 15 rough sleepers known to the city council, although the real figure is likely to be higher than that.
Brighter Futures volunteer Sandie James became homeless in March after suffering mental health problems.
The 25-year-old, from Burslem, said: "This is a great idea because there are a lot of empty buildings to use.
"I can't imagine how horrible it must be to sleep rough when it's so cold outside. I was homeless in March and when I called a housing association I was told I would need money for a deposit, which I didn't have.
"Luckily Brighter Futures provided me with temporary accommodation. I never thought I would be in that situation so it shows it can happen to anybody."
Labour Councillor Ruth Rosenau started the petition after council buildings in Manchester were used to accommodate those sleeping on the streets.
She said: "This is about providing somewhere safe, warm and dry at night over the winter period. We have people sleeping in shop doorways, derelict buildings and car parks.
"The short-term solution is to provide a place which is safe for them to go for the night, but the long-term plan is to provide them with support to re-home them."