A YEAR round homeless shelter could be opened in an attempt to “end the need for rough sleeping” in the city.

Brighton and Hove City Council announced plans for the accommodation last Friday saying it aimed to open it “as early as possible”.

A report which was presented to the Housing Committee yesterday proposes a 365 day a year night shelter and supported accommodation, receiving up to £900,000 over two years.

Labour councillor Nikki Brennan, deputy chairwoman of Brighton and Hove City Council’s Housing Committee, said: “We have committed funds and put a lot of work into finding a building for a night shelter, opening 365 days a year.

“Expressions of interests went out this summer asking for organisations to let us know if they’d be interested in running it.

“It’s my priority to secure a suitable venue and ensure this vital shelter is up and running as early as possible.”

But the council said it faced a “major challenge” in finding a suitable venue for the service.

It said officers have carried out “extensive property searches” including the council’s property list, empty properties, church halls and buildings used by charities, but work to find a venue was “still ongoing”.

It has faced obstacles including “buildings needing extensive work to make them safe and existing bookings making the venue unavailable”.

Green councillor Amy Heley, the opposition lead for homelessness and rough sleeping, said: “Greens have continually supported community calls for a year-round night shelter so I’m pleased there has been progress after such a long time trying to find a suitable venue.

“We have pledged to work with Labour to solve the key issues facing our city today, including our housing and homelessness crisis.

“This includes our shared priority of providing a year-round night shelter, along with ensuring that we improve the support available for those in emergency and temporary accommodation.”