HOMELESSNESS will remain ‘a top priority’ according to Andy Burnham - as he set out a new strategy to tackle the root causes of the issue in Bolton and across the city-region.

The draft Greater Manchester Homelessness Prevention Strategy shows how the drive to end rough sleeping and homelessness will broaden in the Metro Mayor’s second term.

With evictions from private rented accommodation a major driver of homelessness in Bolton, Mr Burnham will place a new Good Landlord Charter at the heart of plans to protect renters and prevent unfair evictions.

Leaders will work to deliver 30,000 zero-carbon homes for social rent, with a commitment to radically improve temporary accommodation standards.

Mr Burnham said: “Tackling rough sleeping and homelessness will be as much of a personal priority in my second term as mayor as it was in my first.

“The eviction ban will end at some point and we know there has been a rise in the number of people are in rent arrears.

“We need to support people and prevent homelessness wherever we can.”

Investment will result in the development of around 300 ‘move on’ accommodation units for people who have been sleeping rough - some of them in Bolton.

Between October and December last year, 244 families or individuals in Bolton were identified as homeless by the council, up from 203 the year before. A further 163 households were eligible for help as they were at risk of homelessness.

A Bed Every Night, the city-region’s approach to tackling rough sleeping, helps around 520 people every night.

Reverend Ian Rutherford, who pioneered the scheme, said: “We knew that we needed to make a difference in Bolton.

“It’s important now to have more than just emergency provision. We need a more permanent solution, which is where this ‘move on’ accommodation comes in.

“In Bolton, we’ve seen homelessness numbers come down remarkably since 2017.”

However, charities are concerned that rates of homelessness in Bolton will rise in the near future as the furlough scheme comes to an end.

Billa Ahmed, of Homeless Aid UK, said: “Homelessness is steady in Bolton but you get blips where we will see more people using our service.

“I think that a lot of people are going to be made homeless as businesses will cut back.

“It is very much the calm before the storm.”