CAMPAIGNERS have launched the first bill of rights for homeless people in the UK and are now calling on the council to adopt it.

Members of Brighton and Hove Housing Coalition, an organisation that tackles housing issues in the city and FEANTSA, the European Federation of National Organisations Working with the homeless, met at the city’s Brighthelm Centre.

Together they launched a bill of rights for the homeless for Brighton.

The event started with a rally at the Clock Tower in the city centre during the weekly street kitchen.

Members of the two groups met homeless people alogn with Councillor Robert Nemeth and Kemptown MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle, who was helping to serve food.

The bill includes giving homeless people the same rights as most other citizens including the right to housing, shelter, sanitary facilities, emergency services and the right to vote and have data protection.

David Thomas, the legal officer for Brighton and Hove Housing Coalition, said he was pleased many councillor candidates from different parties turned up at the launch on Sunday to show their interest and support.

He said: “We thought it was phenomenally successful and we managed to rally a lot of support for this launch.

“There are no other cities in the UK that have adopted a proper bill of rights for the homeless and we want Brighton and Hove to be the shining example for good practice and helping the homeless for the rest of the UK.

“We want Brighton and Hove City Council to adopt this bill of rights so we are calling on support from trade unions, businesses and the public to help push this important cause.”

Maria Jose Aldanas, of FEANTSA, flew over from Brussels especially to give a talk at the event.

She said: “The homeless bill of rights is a compilation of basic rights drawn from European and international human rights law. By endorsing it, European cities reaffirm their commitment to human rights which should guide all towards tackling the root causes of poverty and homelessness.”

Conservative councillor Robert Nemeth attended the launch and said he was supportive of efforts to help tackle homelessness in the city.

He said: “I’m keen to hear more about how rights can be balanced with responsibilities and very much hope to be involved more as discussions progress.”

Lloyd Russell-Moyle said: “This bill is another important step to enforce, fight and win rights for those in our city. Well done to those involved.”