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A day centre helping the city’s homeless is to remain open after being at potential risk of closure in council cut-backs.
It comes as Preston City Council unveiled more of its proposals for trying to stem the rising tide of homelessness in the city.
The Foxton’s Day Centre in Fox Street, as Blog Preston revealed in late December, was facing a funding blow due to a proposed re-balancing of city council funds. It had been re-opened in December 2022 in partnership with the city council.
But in a statement during Wednesday (12 February) the city council confirmed they would continue to support the Foxton Day Centre and also announced a new joint partnership with The Foxton on working together to tackle rough sleeping.
It marks a turnaround in relations between the charity and the city council following concerns about potential funding cuts to the Foxton’s provision – which had been raised by the city’s MP Sir Mark Hendrick at a time when local councils have been handed more money to tackle rising homelessness rates.
John Parkinson, Chair of Trustees at The Foxton, said: “We welcome PCC investment in a night shelter in the city. This adds to the range of facilities provided in Preston to support rough sleepers and address the growing problem of homelessness.
“The agreement between PCC and The Foxton to continue to invest in the Foxton Day Centre and create a steering group to coordinate and build on the range of partnerships is a positive step forward. This will enable the further development of joined up services including medical, mental health, addiction and legal support which are currently in place at the Day Centre.
“Multi-agency coordination between statutory and voluntary sector providers is the most effective way to use the resources needed to support rough sleepers.”
New night shelter to take shape
The city council is preparing to open its own night shelter for rough sleepers, facing onto the Flag Market in a former shop, which had been due to open at the end of January but has now been delayed until March.
The 14-bed shelter is in response to a survey of rough sleepers where the result of ‘need more beds’ came through strongly due to a lack of temporary accommodation in the city.
Cabinet member for communities and social justice, councillor Nweeda Khan, said: “Preston City Council firmly believes that any individual sleeping on the streets in our city is unacceptable, and we stand committed to getting people off the streets and into secure and safe accommodation. National challenges around homelessness and housing have risen dramatically in recent years and we work hard with our community partners to stem the tide of increasing numbers of homelessness in Preston.
“We thank all our partners who time to take part in the research that was carried out.
“Currently there is limited emergency accommodation in the city and the Council have made opening a new Night Shelter Service a priority project, supported as part of a wider package, by the limited funding it has available, to tackle the problem. The Night Service will also provide longer term help and solutions through gender specific pathways, to more permanent housing and work with clients to break the cycle of an ‘on the street lifestyle.”
Read more: Mould-dripping walls, ‘wafer thin beds’ for kids and Preston family driven from a safe home
Location of night shelter due local business objections
The location of the new shelter – in Market Place – has seen criticism and objections by nearby hospitality businesses and business groups who tabled objections to the planning application.
A letter seen by Blog Preston sent by one nearby bar and restaurant objected to the night shelter saying the shelter would be too close to late-night venues, have increased potential for incidents and saying the council should be mindful of the duty of care businesses had to staff who would be working nearby to the shelter.
The bar owner’s letter went on to state: “In conclusion, while the intention to provide support to vulnerable individuals is commendable, it is crucial to balance this with the safety and well-being of the entire community. Our client would urge the decision-makers to reconsider the location of this proposed centre and explore alternative options that prioritise the safety and recovery of its residents while ensuring the security of the surrounding area.”
Blog Preston understands objections to the location of the night shelter were also tabled by the North West & Mid Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Preston Business Improvement District and The Preston Partnership who all represent business groups in the city centre. The city council’s planning committee approved the night shelter plans in September last year.
Drop-in sessions on how homelessness is to be tackled
The city council has received significant additional funding from central government to tackle a rising number of rough sleepers not just in Preston but across the country.
It said in early January’s cold weather the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol was activated and saw 44 people assisted.
Ten of those helped have been moved on and 34 of those are currently in temporary accommodation with support workers.
A series of drop-in sessions about the new night shelter and tackling homelessness in the city will be hosted at the Town Hall in the coming weeks.
Running between 4pm to 8pm they are a chance for local businesses and others to find out more about the night service and shelter and the council’s Making Every Adult Matter strategy.
The sessions take place on Thursday 27 February, Tuesday 4 March, Wednesday 5 March and Thursday 13 March.
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