Shelter reveals Bolton has sixth worst homeless rate in North West

The borough had an estimated 467 people who were homeless on any given night in 2022.

That means one in every 634 people living in Bolton were living either on the streets or in temporary accommodation arranged by themselves or the council last year.

This was above the average rate in the North West of one in 507 people, which the housing charity discovered via official homelessness figures and responses to a Freedom of Information request.

The research also revealed the number of Bolton’s children in temporary accommodation amounted to 187.

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Greater Manchester featured heavily on the list, with seven of the top 10 areas within in the city region. Liverpool, in fifth, was the only area place outside of Greater Manchester to breach the top five.

Shelter’s chief executive Polly Neate has described 2023 for those people as “truly bleak”.

“A cold doorway or a grotty hostel room is not a home, but this is reality for too many people today,” she added.

The topic of homelessness came up in the most recent full council meeting on Wednesday, January 18.

Cllr Morgan addressing full council regarding homelessness on Wednesday, January 18 (Image: Bolton Council)

A question directed at Cllr Andy Morgan, cabinet member for adult services and housing at the council, from Labour Cllr Sue Howarth referenced how there were no people sleeping on the streets in the borough during the pandemic due to a legal order and temporary funding.

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She added: “What is the executive member for adult services and housing doing to get more funding to reduce homelessness in the borough?”

Cllr Morgan said: “Positively, we have been successful in secure additional funding nationally and from GMCA to extend a number of our initiatives until 2025 with over £600,000 additional funding being received by the council.

“The efforts of the partnership are having a positive impact. We undertake a count and submit a return on the number of people found sleeping rough nationally.

“This return five years ago in 2018 found 21 people on the night.

This has been progressively reduced into single figures with the last full snapshot count being two people on the night – both known to services and offered assistance which they declined.

“The efforts to engage with these two people will continue, as does the engagement with people who are new to the street.”

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