Trafford Council will continue the battle against rough sleeping during the winter months by offering beds to those who need it as part of the Bed Every Night Scheme.

As winter approaches and temperatures start to drop, the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham’s ambitious scheme aiming to help end the need for rough sleeping in Greater Manchester city-region by 2020, has entered a second more intensive phase.

More than 400 beds are due to be ready within a week for people sleeping rough, with 10 beds available in the Trafford area.

Great Places Housing Group provides the beds in Trafford.

Sally Watts, Director of Independence and Wellbeing at the housing association, said:

“We are delighted to be providing ongoing support through the A Bed Every Night Scheme. Great Places has provided 10 beds for people in housing need and rough sleepers at Pomona Gardens in Trafford since December 2018.

"The accommodation offers somewhere to sleep along with two bathrooms and kitchen facilities. Since its launch the facility has provided support to over 140 people.”

“The project has proved so successful across Greater Manchester that it has developed from what was an initial month-long trial to become a key part of the support that looks to support rough sleepers across Greater Manchester.

"Tackling homelessness is high on our agenda as an organisation and taking action and working in partnership with other organisations on initiatives like this is the only way we will end rough sleeping.”

The number of rough sleepers in Trafford has increased from last year, from three official rough sleepers in winter 2018 to 11 rough sleepers at this time.

Trafford Council is utilising other resources including statutory temporary accommodation and Housing First to meet the needs of people known to be rough sleeping.

The latest data made public by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) revealed that, for the second consecutive year, the number of people sleeping rough in Greater Manchester has fallen.

The latest fall of 19 per cent continues the downward trend first recorded in January, which revealed a decrease of eight per cent, the first time rough sleeping had fallen in Greater Manchester in almost a decade. Since 2010, rough sleeping had been increasing, reaching a high of 268 people in 2017.

Mr Burnham said: “While fewer people are sleeping rough in Greater Manchester than when I came into office, I am not in any way complacent and know so much more needs to be done. But these figures show that the commitment of our councils and community organisations is making a real difference, and I want to thank everyone for making A Bed Every Night such a strong response to the homelessness crisis.

“As a result, Greater Manchester is entering the coming winter with a stronger set of arrangements for people sleeping rough than we have ever had. We have more places to stay of a better quality and are well on the way towards our goal of ending the need for rough sleeping.”

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.