Fire stations keep homeless safe as temperatures fall
TWO fire stations will open their doors to homeless people as temperatures plunge.
Community rooms at Manchester Central and Ashton stations will be converted into temporary shelters.
The move comes after Greater Manchester’s mayor, Andy Burnham demanded that all organisations, including councils, GP leaders, the police and housing providers, took urgent and ‘immediate’ action to tackle the issue of homelessness.
Snowshowers are forecast as the region prepares for Storm Caroline.
The storm is expected to hit the UK bringing gusts of wind, sleet and snow. Temperatures were predicted to dip to -3C today.
Manchester Central already acts as a shelter for people on the brink of sleeping rough and opened last night. Ashton is opening specifically because of the cold weather and will be used for the first time tonight. It will be run by an agency and six people will use the station.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service’s Assistant County Fire Officer, Tony Hunter, said: “For a number of years now GMFRS has been championing all of its fire stations as community assets and opening its doors to members of the public so it is a natural step for the service to support the ongoing homelessness work in the city.
“The community rooms that are being used as part of this initiative are heated and have hot and cold water and toilet facilities. The rooms are separate from the operational areas of the stations and the initiative is supported by partners who will be at the station to facilitate people using the building, which allows firefighters to continue to do their jobs and respond to incidents in the usual way.”
Mr Burnham told the M.E.N. that while the voluntary sector, the public and business had been active in helping to solve the problem, the public sector could do more.
He said: “This is a clear example of all agencies in Greater Manchester pulling together to help support some of the most vulnerable people in our city region. Whilst most of us are enjoying the festive season, for those who have no choice but to sleep on the streets it is a lonely, dangerous, and potentially lifethreatening time.
“This initiative provides comfort, warmth and shelter for rough sleepers and the homeless which is a fantastic step forward and I’m really grateful to Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and the relevant councils and agencies who’ve made this happen. It may just save lives.”
As well as fire stations turning spare space into shelters, GPs are to treat people without a permanent address and Manchester council is to buy up cheap housing across the city and allow people without homes to live in them. Manchester council is spending around £1.5m a year on temporary accommodation for people who suddenly find themselves homeless – particularly families.