Nine self-contained ‘Sleeper Pods’ have been installed at a former surface-level car park in Bolton, providing temporary shelter for some of the most vulnerable homeless people this winter.
The pods, which are compact and functional, are provided to help rough sleepers who have complex needs, to take a first step back, before moving into more traditional accommodation where they can rebuild their lives.
The council is providing wrap around support and security, which includes 24-hour security and CCTV coverage.
The planning application for the test site was passed at a Planning Committee hearing on November 6, with the pods being installed the following week ready for use over the winter through to March 31 - after which the initiative will be reviewed to see if it can be utilised in other areas.
The initiative is linked to the council’s statutory Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) responsibilities and has been put in place to support a cohort of vulnerable people who currently find themselves outside of the mainstream housing system.
The approach is similar to that employed by projects in Blackburn with Darwen, where sleeper pods have successfully supported rough sleepers into stable housing.
The costs to society of supporting homeless people is huge, typically costing the NHS £4,298, mental health services £2,099, and the criminal justice system £11,991 for each person who has been homeless for three months or more.
Estimates suggest there are more than one in three working families in the UK just one lost pay packet away from being unable to pay for their accommodation.
Those aged under 25 yrs are particularly at risk of becoming homeless, although it can affect everyone who typically experience changes to finances, relationship breakdowns, domestic abuse and violence.
Those who end up living rough on the streets can face serious challenges with their safety, physical and mental health, and are at greater risk of alcohol and substance misuse.
The Sleeper Pods act as a ‘stepping stone’ to help the homeless get into permanent housing, providing a safe place where they receive intensive social adjustment support over a six-to-ten-week period.
The pods are just one of a number of initiatives Bolton is implementing to tackle homelessness, poverty and debts, and the high cost of housing across the region.
Cllr Sean Fielding, Executive Member for Adults and Community Housing at Bolton Council said:
"Bolton has a long-standing commitment to no one having to sleep rough in our borough and this scheme helps us maintain that commitment for those that are furthest from a place they can call home, something everyone deserves.
“With the wraparound support that the council and our partners in the VCSE sector will be providing, we are hopeful we can make a real difference to the small number of people that have no choice but to sleep rough.
“The Sleeper Pods will hopefully provide a ‘stepping stone’ for some of our most vulnerable citizens to rebuild their lives.
“We are also engaging more with landlords and owners of empty properties, offering them practical support, security and reassurance to encourage them to offer more housing options for Bolton people in need.”
Find out more about how Bolton is helping homeless people and increasing the availability of rental properties:
- Homeless support including reporting or getting help and finding suitable housing options
- Providing private landlords with help and advice including lease management and rental schemes
- Getting empty properties ready for rental with renovation loans and matchmaker schemes