A 24-hour shelter for homeless people could be opened in Bristol, following a successful Government funding bid. The City Council has received almost £600,000 to improve front-line support given to people rough sleeping or those at risk of homelessness.

Bristol was one of 83 areas across the country that will share £30 million to enhance the immediate support available to people living on the streets and help them into accommodation.

The Council has proposed to use the funding to open an additional winter night shelter, which would be open 24-hours a day. The building would provide basic shelter accommodation and access to multi-agency drop-in facilities, as well as food provision and activities provided by faith-based organisations involved in the Bristol Shelter Programme.

According to a City Council spokesperson, this would be the only shelter in Bristol that would provide a 24-hour service. There are four other night shelters in the city.

Bristol City Council’s cabinet will need to approve the spend of the grant money at its meeting on Tuesday, 3rd July.

The funding was handed out to councils across England with the highest numbers of people sleeping rough to significantly increase the support they offer people now, and also those at risk this coming winter.

Bath and North East Somerset Council was also successful in its bid to secure funding, and has been handed more than £300,000 to support rough sleepers.

Kate Wilson