New Burslem night shelter opens to support rough sleepers amid rising homelessness
The facility offers immediate safety and aims to transition people to longer-term housing
A new night shelter has opened in Burslem, offering a safe haven for individuals experiencing rough sleeping.
Accessible from 8pm each night, the shelter can accommodate up to nine people.
Commissioned to provide immediate safety and support, the service also aims to help those staying transition into more permanent housing options.
Authorities are urging anyone in need, or those who know someone who could benefit from this service, to contact the Rough Sleeper Outreach Service at 0800 970 2304 or the housing team at 01782 234234 for assistance.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council is funding the shelter through a payment of £150,456 to Adullam Housing Association, enabling it to operate the nine-bed facility for six months.
This decision follows a worrying increase in homelessness and rough sleeping within the city.
In the first 10 months of last year, the council reported 2,371 homelessness inquiries — the highest number since 2018 — and a 14% rise compared to last year.
As of October, 81 individuals were part of the rough sleeper team's caseload, up from 69 in the previous year.
Swan Bank Methodist Church and Adullam proposed the reintroduction of the night shelter for emergency off-street accommodation during the winter months.
The prior shelter was shut down in 2019.
The Burslem shelter is expected to operate until 31st May 2026, and its funding is drawn from a £974,225 government grant allocated to the council for 2025/26.