Motion to attempt to stamp out homelessness approved

Attempt to to stamp out homelessness

The Council approved a motion that homelessness needs urgent action to remedy it at Wednesday’s (12 July) Council meeting.

The motion was moved by Councillor Linda Robinson and seconded by Councillor Liam O’Rourke.

Speaking at the council meeting, Councillor Robinson outlined proactive actions the council is doing to support homeless people across the borough.

The motion included a proposal to build specialised supported accommodation for young people with access to education, volunteering and employment opportunities.

Included is a vow to work with the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham to tackle the issue across Greater Manchester communities, and continue to implement the youth homelessness actions agreed by the Council in early 2013.

The motion pledges to expand mental health and rehabilitation programmes across Greater Manchester, including re-building community mental health support, recovery-led accommodation and arts programmes, and also bring empty properties back in to use for people threatened with becoming homeless.

According to Crisis:

• On average, homeless people die at just 47 years old.
• People sleeping on the street are almost 17 times more likely to have been victims of violence. More than one in three people sleeping rough have been deliberately hit or kicked or experienced some other form of violence whilst homeless.
• Homeless people are over nine times more likely to take their own life than the general population.