Night shelter beds in Bedford Borough are free of charge for those referred to them, councillors were told this week.
At yesterday’s Housing Committee (Wednesday, 24 September), Anna Robbani, head of housing, homelessness and customer services, confirmed that users do not have to pay to access the shelters.
Ms Robbani added that the outreach team identifies people, assesses their risks, and then refers them.
The clarification came after concerns that some members of the public have been misled into thinking rough sleepers need money to secure a place.
Read: Many of Bedford’s supported accommodation spaces are filled with people from outside Borough
Cllr Tim Caswell (Lib Dem, Goldington) said: “Over many years, beggars have constantly told the public that they need money to access [shelters]. And I think that’s probably the source of that rumour.”
Cllr Andrea Spice (Conservative, Wixams and Wilstead), who asked the question, added: “Last week [requests] got up to £19… our residents do genuinely care, but they’re being misled a little bit.
“I just wanted to get this clarified.”
The council stressed that there is no charge to users for staying in the shelters.
By John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
