We have two forms of emergency winter accommodation:
- Night shelter for men from October 2020
- Emergency accommodation for women
If you would like to make a referral to either service, please read the following guidance notes carefully then call the Boaz office on 0161 202 1056 to confirm whether there is a space available for tonight.
Both services run from October until the end of April each year.
IMPORTANT UPDATE:
23rd MARCH 2020- our night shelter has now closed for the 19-20 winter season. We hope to reopen in October 2020.
Who can stay?
- Those who have claimed asylum but have had their cases refused and are now homeless
- Those who have claimed asylum and applied for asylum support but are currently homeless (for example because of an administrative delay or error)
- Those who have been granted refugee status but are homeless (for example after NASS has ended)
Unfortunately we are not able to provide accommodation for other migrants or British citizens who have become homeless, or those under the age of 18. If your client does not fit one of the categories above but needs emergency accommodation, please check out Street Support.
The referral procedure - from October 2020
Please make sure that the client is eligible for the Boaz night shelter or women's emergency accommodation and that they have no viable alternative accommodation.
Please explain how the Boaz night shelter or women's emergency accommodation works, using the information below. Please also make sure your client understands the nature of the accommodation.
While your client is with you, please telephone Boaz on 0161 202 1056 between 10am and 3.30pm to confirm availability for that night.
If there is a space available, please follow the relevant link below to complete our online Boaz emergency accommodation referral form which will automatically be sent through to us.
Men’s night shelter – how it works from October 2020
Early evening reception service
An early evening reception service for men is open every evening from 6-8pm at The Friends Meeting House, 6 Mount Street, Manchester, M2 5NS.
This reception service is only for those individuals who have a confirmed place in the Boaz night shelter for that specific night. All new guests will be asked to sign a code of conduct at the reception venue. This is currently available in Amharic, Arabic, English, Farsi and Tigrinya.
Transport to the overnight venues
Transport to the overnight venues will only be provided for men who have a confirmed place in the Boaz night shelter. If they are not at the reception venue by 8pm, they will lose their place.
Accommodation
There are 12 bed spaces available each night in a large, shared room in a church building. Beds consist of camp beds or sleeping mats, sleeping bags and pillows. Each venue differs but all have washing facilities, with the majority providing a shower. The overnight venues are across Greater Manchester and each venue is used for one night per week. Guests will be asked to leave the venue by 8am, and will usually be given either bus fare or transport back into the city centre.
Food
Warm drinks and snacks are provided at the reception venue. An evening meal is provided at the overnight venue soon after arrival. There is always a halal or vegetarian option. Breakfast is served from 7-7.45am (approx.) If a guest has any food allergies or specific dietary requirements, please let us know on the referral form.
Length of stay
Once the referral is confirmed, your client has a space in the night shelter for as long as they need it. If they choose not to stay, or miss three nights in a row, or are temporarily excluded for any reason, they will need to be re-referred.
At the start of each winter season, our referral form will go live here.
Women’s emergency accommodation – how it works
Once a referral has been made, Boaz will arrange to meet the client at our office, to explain how how our accommodation works and reassure them if they have questions. Accommodation provision is usually with a host. Assuming the client would like to go ahead, we will then take the client to the host. We will provide money for bus fares (if needed) and a bag of food, toiletries etc.
All of our hosts have been trained and inducted by us. Many have been hosts for a number of years, hosting people from many different countries and cultures. We understand that people can often be anxious about staying in someone else’s home but, in general, our experience is that hosting can be a very positive experience for both sides. While a client is hosted, they will have their own bedroom and access to kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities.