NO-ONE will be left sleeping rough in Bromsgrove during the coronavirus outbreak, according to a council chief who says all of the town’s homeless population have been housed.

Bromsgrove District Council has acted quickly to follow government guidelines in relation to the homeless as worries about the ongoing pandemic heighten.

Portfolio Holder for Housing, Cllr Shirley Webb praised the speedy collaboration between a number of organisations in solving the issue.

Cllr Webb said: “Firstly I would like to thank all our officers and partners for working hard to ensure all rough sleepers are accommodated for in these difficult and uncertain circumstances

“Officers at Bromsgrove District Council have been working closely with their colleagues at Bromsgrove District Housing Trust to ensure that no-one is rough sleeping in Bromsgrove.

“Specialist support providers Caring for People and Communities have also helped too, creating a position where vulnerable residents are now safely away from the streets and housed in line with government expectations set out earlier in the week.

“More broadly, all councils in Worcestershire are working together, alongside voluntary sector partners, to find appropriate accommodation to offer to each individual currently rough sleeping across the county.”

Labour deputy group leader and Rock Hill ward councillor Harrison Rone-Clarke said the council should consider using accommodation at the town’s old fire station to house homeless people both now and in the future when the current restrictions are lifted.

Cllr Rone-Clarke added: “Nobody should be sleeping on the streets at this time and adequate provision should be made to allow the homeless to self-isolate.”

In response, Cllr Webb confirmed the council would explore all avenues.

She added: “Officers from each council’s housing team are committed to sourcing suitable accommodation as quickly as possible and we are happy to consider the old fire station premises within that.”