PRESS RELEASE: 31st Dec. 2025: City Council must offer shelter for street homeless people now

RAPAR  (Refugee and Asylum Participatory Action Research)

31st December 2025

Press Release
For immediate Release

CITY COUNCIL MUST OFFER SHELTER FOR STREET HOMELESS PEOPLE NOW

As another homeless man dies on the city's streets and falling temperatures are set to bring in the New Year, RAPAR renews its call for immediate action

There has been a 20 per cent nationwide increase in the number of people sleeping rough over the last year, according to figures released in December. 

The sharp rise in street homelessness was tragically reflected on the streets of Manchester this Christmas when a 47 year old man was found dead near the Bridgewater Hall on Boxing Day. It is thought the cold may have been a contributory factor.

With temperatures forecast to plunge below freezing, RAPAR is calling for urgent discussions between the Greater Manchester Mayor, city council leaders, homeless people, and all charities working with them, in an attempt to avert more deaths.

RAPAR caseworker Emma Leyla knows of three other recent deaths of street homeless men in Manchester.  

Emma says: "The alarming increase in the deaths of homeless people raises urgent questions about lack of protection. 

"In Manchester, refugees, migrants, and local people who have become homeless are all falling through the so-called safety net.

"But lives could be saved by offering warm beds, outreach services, and trauma-informed support that addresses poverty and displacement."
 
Earlier this year, RAPAR called for a round table discussion to address the worrying rise in destitution in the city and other Greater Manchester council areas. 

Emma adds: "We were provided with a direct number for Manchester's homelessness team but a round table discussion was refused. We are now renewing our call but we remain adamant that homeless people should be involved in any discussions and decisions."
 
RAPAR members have long experience of the UK's chaotic asylum and immigration system which, in itself, can cause homelessness and destitution. But RAPAR also works with all displaced people from many different backgrounds and circumstances.

At RAPAR's homelessness drop-in sessions, Emma and other volunteers have worked with around 100 people over the last 12 months. RAPAR caseworkers are willing to share their experiences and insights with others to help create a united strategy in order to prevent more deaths on the city's streets.

A £3.5bn national plan aims to cut the number of long-term rough sleepers by half over the next five years and prevent other people from falling into homelessness. But emergency measures for those who are currently sleeping out need to be introduced immediately. 

Shelter's data shows there are 9,589 homeless people in Manchester alone - equivalent to one in every 61 people. 

There is a range of complex reasons for why people end up with no roof over their heads - and any homelessness strategy must fully address all of them if it is to be a success.

ENDS

(See also this report from ITV news online and this excerpt from ITV's Granada News aired on the 2nd Jan. 2026 featuring RAPAR's Dr Rhetta Moran)