All rough sleepers in Brighton and Hove who need a place to stay safe during the coronavirus pandemic now have somewhere to go, according to the city council.
Officials said they arranged a second hotel with a further 51 separate rooms with en suite facilities on Friday (April, 3).
These rooms are on top of the 51 spaces secured at the YHA youth hostel in Brighton's Old Steine lat week. Outreach workers have gone out to let people know the rooms are available and food will be provided, although the Council has admitted they cannot make anyone stay in a hotel if they don't want to.These 102 rooms provide enough places for all in need, according to the City Council.
To encourage people to stay, officials said most of the rooms being made available have televisions, and they are seeking to make them or a device that can show broadcast programmes, available to everyone as soon as possible. Game Consoles, kindles, or similar are also being collected by local campaign group Galvanise to be distributed over the coming weeks and months. Everyone will be checked for symptoms before they are given accommodation, and there are provisions in place to allow occupants to self-isolate. For those without symptoms, the accommodation makes it possible for the people to follow social distancing guidelines and everyone is being given food and support.Cllr Gill Williams, chair of housing committee, said:
"I’m very grateful to everyone who has worked tirelessly to help make this accommodation available to protect some of our most vulnerable residents. "We now can make sure everyone in need can be inside this weekend. "We will also be offering ongoing support over the weeks and months ahead."Brighton and Hove City Council said additional spaces are being looked into in case more people are in need, or plans change at a later point in the pandemic.
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