Government asks Wigan Council - and others - to house rough sleepers and those in hostels and night shelters by the weekend

The Government has asked Wigan Council and all other English local authorities to house all rough sleepers and those in hostels and night shelters by the weekend, the charity Crisis said.

And town hall chiefs say they have risen to the challenge by offering up accommodation to any rough sleepers who want it.

The letter, sent to homelessness managers and rough sleeping co-ordinators in every town hall on Thursday, is quoted by the charity as saying: “As you know, this is a public health emergency.

“We are all redoubling our efforts to do what we possibly can at this stage to ensure that everybody is inside and safe by this weekend, and we stand with you in this.

“These are unusual times so I’m asking for an unusual effort. Many areas of the country have already been able to ‘safe harbour’ their people which is incredible. What we need to do now though is work out how we can get ‘everyone in’.”

The charity said the letter was sent by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, which is yet to comment.

Crisis chief executive Jon Sparkes said: “The Government’s insistence that everyone sleeping rough should be housed by the weekend is a landmark moment - and the right thing to do.

“Questions remain about how local councils will be supported to do this, and whether additional funding, or assistance securing hotel rooms, will be made available.

“We also need to see a package of support so that, when the outbreak subsides, the outcome is not that people return to the streets.

“The Government has committed to ending rough sleeping by 2025 - this proves it can be done in 2020 if we make it the priority it deserves to be.”

Coun Terry Halliwell, Wigan’s cabinet member for housing and welfare, said: “A fantastic multi-agency approach by the council and all its partners has meant that all rough sleepers in the borough who want to take up accommodation can do so from this weekend.

“This strong partnership response has managed to overcome what was a significant logistical challenge with the government asking local authorities yesterday to ensure everyone was supported.”