Support for homeless people during Coronavirus crisis

Homeless people in Blackburn with Darwen are being given help to get off the streets during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Since the government asked for support getting rough sleepers off the streets last week, the Council’s Community Safety and Housing Needs teams have been working with partners to put in place arrangements to safeguard homeless people from Covid19.

Councillor Mustafa Desai, Executive Member for Adults Services & Prevention, said:

During the winter months, there are always beds for homeless people in Blackburn with Darwen through our Emergency Winter Homeless Provision. This has helped us to quickly put in place arrangements to house rough sleepers during the current Coronavirus outbreak and we have extended this service indefinitely. The accommodation we can provide includes six self-contained rooms set aside for anyone who needs to self-isolate.

Arrangements are also in place should demand for these places increase.

The Council is also working with Royal Blackburn Hospital on new rapid discharge arrangements to help them clear beds quickly, supporting people with no fixed address into emergency hotel accommodation.

This supports people who would normally be housed in a hostel or other communal accommodation, which would put them at a higher risk of coming into contact with someone with Covid19 symptoms.

Council staff are working at the hospital seven days a week, from 8am to 8pm, to help support the rapid placements for anyone who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless when leaving hospital. Accommodation can usually be arranged within two hours.

Councillor Desai continued:

For people in this situation, we have arranged accommodation for 30 individuals at an East Lancashire hotel, who are kept in isolation in en-suite rooms.

We’re co-ordinating this service for other East Lancashire authorities to reduce local competition for places.

Homeless people being placed in accommodation through these arrangements are also being offered support through treatment and mental health services.

For help and advice on accessing emergency accommodation for homeless people, contact the Housing Needs team on 01254 585444 or housingneeds@blackburn.gov.uk.