CAMPAIGNERS have welcomed plans to open up empty council-owned buildings to house the homeless.

Andy Winter, of Brighton Housing Trust (BHT), supported the idea but said it must be put into practice with “proper planning, adequate safety measures and properly trained staff.

His comments follow a unanimous decision from Brighton and Hove city councillors to support the idea in the wake of long waiting lists for hostel and shelter beds.

Yesterday Mr Winter called on the Government to help councils get the funds they needed for such a project and said: “I welcome the decision. But It cannot be done overnight and it would be reckless to do so without proper planning.

“If we are to do this, the shelters need to be safe for all who use them, not least homeless women.

"Discussions and planning need to start now for next winter. It isn’t a cheap option, but it is one that can save lives and would demonstrate we are a caring society.

“BHT currently operates an emergency shelter in the event of extreme weather, and the churches run a rolling shelter throughout the winter.

"Our provision is in buildings with proper fire safety arrangements, separate facilities for men and women, and properly training and experienced staff.

“I would hope that, given the financial restrictions imposed on councils, the Government would create a fund so that such shelters can be planned for and opened next winter.”

Green councillors put forward the proposal at a meeting on Thursday.

It will see voluntary and community groups which are able and willing to access currently vacant council buildings and help turn them into temporary homeless shelters.

The councillors asked that guidance and support would be necessary to make sure all the legal, health and safety requirements of managing the buildings were met.

Councillors Tom Druitt and David Gibson called on the council to “show some humanity” as numbers of homeless people continue to rise while temperatures drop to below freezing.

Latest figures reveal that Brighton and Hove has the highest number of rough sleepers outside of London, with more than 144 people on the streets - almost double that of the previous year.

Councillor David Gibson, the Green spokesman for housing, said the city’s “totally unacceptable” homeless crisis must be solved.

He said: “The people of the city said we must try and do something about homelessness. We can’t only rely on strategies.

"Support and services that prevent homelessness are being cut.

"There is simply not enough social housing or temporary accommodation.

"Welfare benefit changes and the rising cost of rent, as well as the lack of living wage rents are driving many people into poverty in the private rented sector.”

Councillor Tom Druitt said: “I’m so glad our proposal was supported by all councillors and I hope we can get on with the job quickly and give shelter where it’s needed.

"Now is not the time to say it is too difficult to provide more help to people on the streets. We know the council has very little money, but we do have other resources we can make available for use.”