Bristol City Council call for hotels and B&Bs to house the city's homeless during Coronavirus outbreak
Posted on: 24 Mar 2020The council have launched the appeal to allow Bristol's homeless population to self-isolate during a nationwide lockdown.
Bristol City Council has issued an urgent appeal to hoteliers, B&B/Airbnb owners and student housing providers to offer accommodation to the city's homeless population amidst the Coronavirus outbreak.
It's thought that around 450 rooms are needed to house rough sleepers and the homeless during the lockdown period. The council says it's vital to get rough sleepers into suitable accommodation in order for them to be able to self-isolate.
Speaking yesterday ahead of the government's announcement that a lockdown would be implemented across the UK, Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees said "we know how difficult it is for homeless people at the best of time, but if people are rough sleeping it is very hard to self-isolate. This is really worrying, and all of us need to pull together to protect the many vulnerable people in the city."
"I’d like to thank those who have already come forward and offered their support and hope to see others do the same in the coming days,” he added.
The council are understood to be working with business owners and clients to find accommodation suited to individuals, as well as ensuring that food and support needs are met.
All businesses and individuals who provide emergency accommodation will be compensated, and it's hoped that the appeal will give a helping hand to businesses that have seen a drop in demand as a result of the virus.
For more information on Bristol City Council's accommodation appeal, get in touch via email. For more information and updates, head to the Bristol City Council website.
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