Newly elected Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has launched the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Homelessness Fund and a commitment to end rough sleeping by 2020.
Homelessness is one of the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s top priorities and, as his first act, Andy Burnham has donated 15 per cent of his salary to kick start the fund.
A number of local businesspeople have also agreed to contribute and local people are also already supporting the fund. Donations to the fund can be made here
This innovative approach to ending rough sleeping is part of the Mayor’s efforts to change the way politics works from day one. He is inviting everyone in Greater Manchester, and beyond, to work with him to help solve the issues that affect the entire city region.
Andy launched the Mayor’s Homelessness Fund after meeting people who sleep rough in Manchester City Centre earlier this week. He was joined by staff from Riverside Street Outreach team, including a volunteer who has lived experience of homelessness.
Cllr Beth Knowles, appointed by the Mayor to lead his work on tackling rough sleeping and homelessness, and Cllr Bernard Priest, Manchester City Council Executive member for Housing & Regeneration, joined the Mayor.
Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham said:
“Greater Manchester has been fortunate enough to witness some of the fastest economic growth nationally over the past decade, but alongside this we have seen a growing inequality which damages us all.
“Whilst the city centre’s skyline is filled with cranes, our streets should not be crowded with people who have no roof over their head. Rough sleeping and homelessness are not inevitable consequences of a 21st Century economy. We all have a duty to ensure no one is forced to spend a night on the streets and every Greater Mancunian has a stable place to call home.
“That is why I have made ending rough sleeping across the city region by 2020 one of my top Mayoral priorities. Within three years, and if we can achieve it earlier, no one should be forced to spend a night on the streets. I will also work with all relevant organisations to develop a plan to reduce all forms of homelessness in Greater Manchester.”
Greater Manchester Mayor’s Leadership team
Andy Burnham has announced his leadership team who will work alongside him to build a new future for Greater Manchester.
Manchester City Council Leader, Sir Richard Leese, has been appointed Deputy Mayor and will lead on business and economy issues.
Former Home Office Minister Baroness Beverley Hughes has been nominated by the Mayor to become Greater Manchester’s first Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime.
Bury Council Leader, Rishi Shori has been chosen to become portfolio holder for young people and social cohesion. Cllr Shori will work with young people across Greater Manchester to give them a voice and ensure all young people have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said:
“I am committed to delivering on my promises to the people of Greater Manchester and a strong leadership team is key to achieving that. Sir Richard Leese and Beverley Hughes bring a wealth of experience, expertise and passion to their respective roles. I look forward to working with them to make Greater Manchester the best place to live, work, grow up and get on in life.
“Young people are at the heart of my plan for Greater Manchester and deserve a strong voice in the decisions that ultimately affect them. By appointing Rishi Shori as the portfolio holder for Young People and Social Cohesion and raising this role to become part of my leadership team, I am inviting every young person to work with us to ensure they have the opportunities they need to get on in life.
“People are talking about stable leadership. Greater Manchester has had it for the last 20 years and with this leadership team we will have it going forward. In testing times Greater Manchester will need its best team on the pitch and that is what today’s announcement achieves.”
Beverley Hughes Deputy Mayor for Police and Crime said:
“I’m honoured and excited to be given this opportunity to work alongside the Mayor, Chief Constable, and local people to make our communities safer and stronger. This role will not be without challenge, not least with continued budget pressures and increasing demand on our police, but we have a strong foundation on which to build on.”
Deputy Mayor for business and economy Sir Richard Leese said:
“I’m pleased to be taking on this role and look forward to the opportunities and challenges ahead as Greater Manchester begins a new era. As Deputy Mayor I will continue to work with the business community and encourage investment in Greater Manchester to generate more growth, jobs and opportunities for people across our city-region.”
Portfolio holder for young people and social cohesion Rishi Shori said:
“For Greater Manchester to succeed we must invest in our young people and work together to ensure everyone can get a good education, decent job and enjoy the best quality of life. I’m looking forward to shaping this new role and working with our young people to shape and build our city-region.”