A Bed Every Night Phase 6

A Bed Every Night

ABEN has been in operation since October 2018, with the service being recommissioned in each funding round through a competitive process.

ABEN provides accommodation for up to 33 people (including one emergency bed) who are sleeping rough, with six spaces assigned for individuals with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF).

The service delivers support and housing management across three buildings, The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has confirmed its intention to continue funding theses services for a further 3 years.

The most recent grant award runs from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2029, with the funding amounts confirmed with the main 18-bed building operating as a 24-hour central hub.

A Bed Every Night Phase 6 and RSI Outreach and Navigator services Procurement

1.Background

1.1 The Council has been working in partnership with Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) on various projects that support residents who are homeless or at risk of homelessness via existing services:

• A Bed Every Night (ABEN)
• Rough Sleepers Initiative (RSI)

1.2 The projects in question have all been running concurrently in Oldham for multiple years, further details about the service is set out below.

1.3 The Oldham ABEN has been in operation since October 2018, with the service evolving from a communal night shelter model to a 24-hour self-contained accommodation scheme in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, also increasing in bed spaces in response to demand.

1.4 ABEN is funded via grant from GMCA which is made up of contributions from a range of sources including Public Health, Probation and the Mayor's Fund. Local authorities are also asked to contribute to the scheme locally; in Oldham the Council funds the accommodation leases and most utility costs at the ABEN buildings, less any rebate recouped through Housing Benefit and service charges.

1.5 Oldham's ABEN provision within the GMCA grant agreement consists of 27 (including one emergency bed) main ABEN bedspaces and 6 bedspaces for people with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF).

These are based across three buildings held on private sector leases (PSLs) by the Council. The service accommodates between 90-120 people each year, with numbers primarily influenced by the availability of move on accommodation.

1.6 The Council is tendering for the delivery of ABEN support and day-to-day building management.