WHEN the matter of homelessness was discussed by Bolton Council in June the total number of people, which met that criteria was 553 for 2017/2018 up from 516 in 2016/2017.

At that meeting, Cllr Nick Peel said the local authority was committed to tackling the scourge, which he blamed on the Conservative government, but with what he said were massive challenges ahead.

At the time he said: “Unfortunately, I do not have much hope of the situation improving either here or elsewhere in the country.

"The challenges presented by the government’s reckless welfare reform programme, including the pending roll-out of the ill-thought-out Universal Credit, and the increasing difficulties of the supply of affordable housing will present us with massive challenges to the task of tackling homelessness and, in particular those with complicated and complex needs.”

The council’s environment leader said the authority remained committed to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham’s pledge to drive down homelessness and rough sleeping – and was involved in a range of projects as part of the Homelessness Trailblazer Programme.

Nationally, 4,700 people were sleeping rough, while more than 300,000 were officially classed as homeless.

He added that the council’s strategy up until 2021 was a continued commitment to tackling and preventing homelessness.

Speaking up for the homelessness at that meeting Gareth Bradbury, the chairman of the volunteer-led Bolton Community Kitchen said: “I totally agree that it’s not getting any better, as long as the government is sanctioning people on benefits, how can they afford to live?

“If they miss an appointment through no fault of their own – say they have to go to hospital, or have mental health issues – they get sanctioned, and they don’t know how to get out of it.”

Organisations which reach out to help the homeless in Bolton include Hope 4 Homeless at 131 Tonge Moor Road, telephone 07504 727051, Urban Outreach at Salop Street – telephone 01204 385848 and its branch which offers food at Urban Restore, Pool Street, telephone 01204 385848, Trussell Trust Food Bank, Trafford Street, 01204 861671.

Bolton Council says it will provide help, advice and support to prevent people from becoming homeless wherever possible. If they are at risk of becoming homeless they are asked to call 01204 335830.