Preston City Council supports rough sleepers with first steps towards Independence

Preston City Council is launching a night service for rough sleepers in the city.

The aim of the service is to work with rough sleepers in taking steps to get them off the streets and into accommodation, whilst offering them safety, support and advice to help them gain independence.

Supported by MEAM (Making Every Adult Matter) a consultation was carried out over a six-month period, by Preston City Council’s Housing Advice Services and Rough Sleeper Initiative team (RSI). Led by Preston City Council’s Service User Involvement Worker, a small peer group made up of frontline workers and service users, gave feedback on what a nighttime provision could offer.

The most common answer from service users when asked what was needed was ‘more beds’. Preston City Council is committed to delivering this, especially for vulnerable, homeless women, whose numbers are growing, and who need gender specific accommodation alongside trauma-informed help and recovery.

Based on the feedback, the night service, which plans to open its doors in March 2025, will comprise of cubicles for up to 14 people, and allocate places based on referrals from the Outreach Team working with partners.

The plans around increasing accommodation options for rough sleepers will see a focus on trauma informed recovery and breaking the cycle. Preston City Council will build on the successes of the Rough Sleeper Initiative Outreach Team who have worked relentlessly for positive change on challenging cases. From the Target Priority Group identified in 2021, 90% are now in accommodation.

Councillor Nweeda Khan, Cabinet Member for Communities and Social Justice at Preston City Council said: “Preston City Council firmly believes that any individual sleeping on the streets in our city is unacceptable, and we stand committed to getting people off the streets and into secure and safe accommodation.

‘’National challenges around homelessness and housing have risen dramatically in recent years and we work hard with our community partners to stem the tide of increasing numbers of homelessness in Preston.

“We thank all our partners who time to take part in the research that was carried out.

“Currently there is limited emergency accommodation in the city and the Council have made opening a new Night Shelter Service a priority project, supported as part of a wider package, by the limited funding it has available, to tackle the problem.

‘’The Night Service will also provide longer term help and solutions through gender specific pathways, to more permanent housing and work with clients to break the cycle of an ‘on the street’ style.’’

An agreement has now also been reached with the Foxton Centre, a charity that supports vulnerable communities in Preston. The Council will continue to support the Foxton Day Centre which is, according to data from the Foxton Centre, is used mainly for food during the breakfast session, some showers and some laundry.

John Parkinson, Chair of the Trustees at the Foxton Centre said, “We welcome PCC investment in a night shelter in the city. This adds to the range of facilities provided in Preston to support rough sleepers and address the growing problem of homelessness. 

“The agreement between PCC and The Foxton to continue to invest in the Foxton Day Centre and create a steering group to coordinate and build on the range of partnerships is a positive step forward. This will enable the further development of joined up services including medical, mental health, addiction and legal support which are currently in place at the Day Centre. 

“Multi-agency coordination between statutory and voluntary sector providers is the most effective way to use the resources needed to support rough sleepers.”

As well as nighttime support, Preston’s Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP), was activated in early January and has seen 44 people assisted during its operation, 10 have moved on for a variety of reasons and 34 of those currently in accommodation will be allocated support workers. SWEP is a good practice requirement offered by Preston City Council Housing and Homelessnes Services to ensure that people sleeping rough are not at risk of harm during extreme cold or severe weather.

Preston City Council is holding a series of drop-in sessions at the Town Hall between 4 – 8pm, in collaboration with MEAM for local businesses, answering questions and offering more information about the night service. Follow-up workshops are being offered for those interested in being involved or discussing ways in working together with the Council and MEAM.

Awareness session - Thursday 27 Feb

Workshop - Tuesday 4 March

Workshop – Wednesday 5 March

Workshop – Thursday 13 March