THE council has shared its plan to bring an end to homelessness.

Today is World Homeless Day and Cheshire West and Chester Council has taken the opportunity to share what it is doing to combat the issue.

Residents and organisations are being encouraged to sign the Rough Sleeping and Homelessness Pledge, a new initiative launched by the council aimed at getting people to play their part.

Councillor Christine Warner, cabinet member for homes, planning and safer communities, said: “As a council we believe that nobody in our borough should be forced to sleep rough and become homeless.

“We are very proud to work alongside a range of partners, including charities, housing associations and businesses as shown by the Rough Sleeping and Homelessness Pledge.

“A key responsibility of the council is to provide accommodation for those who are forced into homelessness.

“However, providing accommodation is only one small part of the work that the council does.

“In many cases, homelessness can be prevented by intervening early when people are at risk.

“This work is critical and can make all the difference.”

The council states that its primary aim is to prevent homelessness in the first place by finding ways to keep people in their homes.

To aid this, the Housing Options team offers support to anyone at risk of becoming homeless within the next 56 days.

This can be accessed by calling 0808 175 3596 on weekdays before 4.30pm or, if homeless and in need of accommodation, by calling the out of hours number on 0300 123 7035.

There is also an Outreach Support Team which can be reached 24/7 on 0808 175 3595 or by emailing outreachservices@forfutures.co.uk.

The council also confirmed it is currently using hotels and B&Bs to help individuals and families who are homeless.

As such, it is now working on developing more supported housing schemes over the next few years.

Additionally, on World Homeless Day the council’s housing team has partnered with Cheshire West Voluntary Action to put together an online workshop for the third sector, community groups and local charities on how they can help.

For more information, visit the CWAC website.