Bolton Council temporary accommodation for homeless spending increases

There were an estimated 19 deaths of homeless people recorded by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) between 2017 and 2021, with six of those occurring last year.

Every year, the ONS collates deaths of homeless people under the age of 75, their location, ages, and cause of death.

Billa Ahmed, co-founder of Homeless Aid UK Bolton, said: “This is a problem all over the UK.

“The average life expectance of a homeless man is 43, and for a woman it’s 41, I think, and that’s getting less – a few years ago it was 49.

“We are seeing a lot more younger people who are homeless now.”

READ MORE: Homeless organisation experience busiest weekend on record

A spokesperson for the council said: “One of the best ways to improve the health and wellbeing of homeless people is to reduce rough sleeping and to engage with people with addiction related issues.

“Bolton is now a ‘Rough Sleeping Drug and Alcohol Treatment Grant’ area (RSDATG), which brings additional resources for engagement and interventions.

Homeless deaths chart (Image: PA)

“The RSDATG team work in close partnership with the wider Rough Sleeping team in supporting people through their recovery pathway.

“If the public sees someone they may believe to be rough sleeping, they can share this information in confidence.”

Meanwhile, separate figures from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities show that in the year to March, Bolton council spent a total of £3.2m on temporary homeless housing.

READ MORE: Bolton's Operation Shelter 'evolves' to get homeless help they need

That figure has shot up from £2.4m the year before.

This spendings comes as a result of a number of factors.

Temporary accommodation costs went up during the pandemic as there were more people in need of it and they were staying for longer.

And some of the money can be accounted for via the use of specific additional government funding given to councils during Covid.

The council spokesperson added: “During the Covid pandemic, councils faced a number of challenges moving people out of temporary accommodation into more permanent housing.

“These included a lack of available social housing and an increase in private rental costs.

“As temporary accommodation filled up, councils have used more emergency options such as hotels, which have also increased in cost.

“Additional Covid funding from the government also allowed councils to accommodate more people who were rough sleeping, also adding to the overall accommodation cost figures.

“Like all councils, our first priority is to prevent homelessness in the first place. As this is not always possible, we balance our budget accordingly between prevention and temporary accommodation.”

Mr Ahmed says that the council is doing and “amazing job” in this regard.

He added: “Many of these people have never had a flat before. Once they are in temporary accommodation, they can get the help they need.

“I see a many people who were homeless that have been rehomed or now in a flat in supported accommodation. As long as there is someone checking up on them, they are okay.

“Bolton Council are doing a good job, but they can only do what they can do.”

One of the main problems, Billa says, is that there simply is not enough housing, and landlords rarely accept people who are on benefits, even if they have the money to pay for somewhere to stay.

READ MORE: Homeless Aid UK appeal for men's coats and jeans for winter

One such issue a loophole in the law that allows landlords to evict people through "no fault evictions" – also known as section 21 notices.

Charities and campaign groups are lobbying the government bring through the long-awaited Renters Reform Bill, which would reduce the risk of people becoming homeless in this way.

Homeless Aid UK Bolton (Image: Newsquest)

In Bolton, 46 households were at risk of homelessness after they were served with a section 21 notice between April and June, the latest figures from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities show.

If residents wish to report a rough sleeper in order to get them the help they need, a description of the person and their specific location can be shared by email to housingoutreachteam@bolton.gov.uk or by phoning the Housing Options Services on 01204 335 900.

“It is important not to confuse people who may be engaged in begging behaviour with people who may be rough sleeping,” the council spokesperson added.

“Most people who rough sleep do not beg and most people who engage in begging are not rough sleeping.  

For further information people can visit boltonhopeforchange.org.uk.

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at lewis.finney@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @lewisfinney18