Wigan Borough gets £500k to support rough sleepers this winter

Wigan Borough gets £500k to support rough sleepers this winter

Work is ongoing to build new homelessness shelter at The Brick Works in Wigan

People sleeping rough across the Wigan Borough will be offered a route off the streets or wider support by the end of the year thanks to new government funding.

The £502,721 funding through the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s (MHCLG) Rough Sleeping Programme, will expand the borough’s accommodation offer for people sleeping rough or at immediate risk.

Councillor Susan Gambles, cabinet portfolio holder for housing and welfare, and chair of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategic Partnership Board, said: “This funding will make a huge difference for the work of the council and partner organisations that are already doing phenomenal work, it’s over half a million more pounds that will be invested in housing projects and support services, helping people rebuild their lives and maintain long-term independence.”

Homelessness charity The Brick has received a share of Wigan Council’s £500k funding to operate a new 16-bed emergency night shelter at The Brick Works in Wigan, which is due to open before Christmas.

Keely Dalfen, CEO of The Brick, said: “Behind every bed is a person who deserves warmth, dignity, kindness and the chance of a better tomorrow.

“And with The Brick and Wigan Council’s support services right on the doorstep, a safe night can be the first step towards a more secure future thanks to this grant.”

The refurbishment of the shelter is being led by local company Greenmount Projects, with other local businesses donating their time, materials and labour to complete the transformation, while Wigan Council will cover the shelter’s ongoing running costs once it opens - helping it to remain open 24/7.

As well as The Brick shelter, Wigan Council is also funding a specialist unit with bespoke support for vulnerable women as part of the government funding.

The grant will also help fund additional homelessness support officers who will work alongside accommodation and housing providers. 

Councillor Gambles added: “We have a long and strong relationship with The Brick and are looking forward to continuing to work with them on this new shelter, with more support services being introduced in the future as part of this funding.

“The contractors have worked tirelessly donating their time and materials to make sure this night shelter will be ready before Christmas and it will be open all year round. Whilst this funding will provide rapid support, there is still work to be done to help people avoid rough sleeping in the first place.

“That’s why our homelessness services, along with our partners, will continue to work on several prevention measures to tackle homelessness as a multi-agency approach.”