Homeless people across Salford will be offered a new method of support, as the city council is changing the way they access services.
The new method will aim to speed up the process to provide support to the homeless from Monday October 21.
The service provided will be able to be accessed through a short online form.
Once the form is completed and sent to the council, a dedicated Homeless Prevention Officer will be assigned to contact the applicant within three days.
Anyone who has difficulty using the online form will be able to complete it in person at Salford Civic Centre.
The new service will be used to speed up the current process. Previously those seeking help had to attend the Salford Civic Centre, take a numbered ticket and wait to be called.
Councillor Tracy Kelly, Deputy City Mayor and Lead Member for Housing and Anti-Poverty at Salford City Council, said: “This new system will make it much easier for people to get the vital help.
“It makes the process easier, quicker, more affordable, and less stressful for both staff and customers.”
On average there are more than 450 presentations to the council from people needing help a month.
The lengthy wait often prevents people being seen, with the new service hoping to offer an appointment on a date that is convenient for them.
Cllr Kelly continued: “The numbers of people we deal with will be a shock to some people.
“The cost-of-living crisis and lack of affordable homes is having a huge impact on local people.
“Our officers do a fantastic job and work tirelessly with a huge workload and limited resources and we hope this new process is a hit with the public.”
The new access to services will also allow the team of homelessness prevention officers to prioritise cases effectively.
It is Salford City Council’s statutory duty to carry out an assessment in all cases where eligible people are homeless or threatened with homelessness.
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