Trafford Council has extended its successful A Bed Every Night (ABEN) initiative to help take more homeless people off the streets.
The local authority is to officially launch its ABEN Phase 4 scheme by opening a five-bedroom property for the homeless on Chester Road, Old Trafford, on April 1.
Last October, and as part of ABEN Phase 3, Trafford Council opened a six-bedroom property – also on Chester Road – which has proved to be a huge success by providing emergency accommodation for dozens of homeless people. Both properties are suitable for ABEN as they provide individual rooms where clients can observe Covid-19 social distancing. Each room has its own cooking facilities and en-suite bathroom.
The Chester Road properties allow people to access their own room 24 hours a day, and are an ideal base for people to access any necessary support services to move forward into their own accommodation. There is also a security guard on both sites.
Cllr James Wright, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Regeneration, said:
“I am absolutely delighted that Trafford Council is extending its ABEN scheme and helping homeless people off the streets.
It is devastating that in 2021 people are finding themselves homeless in our borough. The Council has made it a major priority to prevent homelessness in Trafford and the properties on Chester Road will help us achieve that aim. We have also made the building of quality, affordable and social housing a top priority. The Council is proud of its work in preventing homelessness and will continue to do everything in its power to stop people ending up on the streets.”
ABEN Phase 1 and 2 was provided at Pomona Gardens in Old Trafford in partnership with Great Places Housing Association. Unfortunately due to Public Health guidelines linked to Covid 19, a restriction on using dormitory style sleeping accommodation was imposed and the provision had to close in March 2020.
For housing information, please call the HOST team on 0161 912 2230 or e mail host@trafford.gov.uk.
For further information about A Bed Every Night, including information on how to donate or give your time, visit www.bedeverynight.co.uk or follow #BedEveryNight on Twitter.
Posted on Tuesday 23rd March 2021