EVERY rough sleeper will be offered a hotel room this weekend amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Brighton and Hove City Council has reached the agreement with hotels as Government officials instructed every authority in England get people off the streets and out of hostels and night shelters.

The agreement was reached this afternoon but the businesses are yet to be named.

>>>READ MORE: Latest coronavirus news in Sussex

Council leader Nancy Platts said: “I’d like to thank all the council staff, agencies, volunteers and businesses for working in the spirit of cooperation to keep our homeless community safe.”

Homeless outreach services St Mungo’s and Streetlink will be talking to homeless people and rough sleepers over the weekend.

It is hoped every single rough sleeper will be settled into their accommodation by early next week.

An email from Government official Dame Louise Casey was sent to homelessness managers and rough sleeping co-ordinators in every local authority on Thursday.

It said: “As you know, this is a public health emergency.

“We are all redoubling our efforts to do what we possibly can at this stage to ensure that everybody is inside and safe by this weekend, and we stand with you in this.

“These are unusual times so I’m asking for an unusual effort. Many areas of the country have already been able to ‘safe harbour’ their people which is incredible. What we need to do now though is work out how we can get ‘everyone in’.”

  • The coronavirus Sussex Crisis Fund has been set up to help those affected by the pandemic. The Argus’s charity and American Express have each donated £50,000 to kick-start the appeal.  Grants will usually be for up to £5,000. More information is available at www.sussexgiving. org.uk/apply. To donate visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/sussexcrisisfund