A new initiative to provide shelter and support for those who find themselves sleeping on the streets in winter could be the beginning of the end for rough sleeping in Bradford.

A helpline has been set up that people sleeping rough can call to be given accommodation for the night when the temperature reaches zero.

And in the morning those who need help can be put in touch with the services they need, whatever their situation may be.

The scheme, Cold Weather Provision, is the result of a partnership between the Bradford City Centre Project (BCCP) and Hope Housing charities, social housing landlord Incommunities and Bradford Council.

Both charities and Incommunities have offered hostels and hosts to provide beds across the city for those who ring the helpline.

Jed Din, director of BCCP, a charity for young people aged 16 to 25 in housing need, said the scheme had created ten spaces in accommodation across the city.

But he believed the average number of people sleeping rough in Bradford would be higher than this.

He said: “We have got ten bed spaces to start with – for this year I think it is a brilliant start because before that we didn’t have anything like this.”

Mr Din said paper audits in October 2007 and April 2008 revealed 55 and 15 people had slept rough the previous night, and a recent count had revealed just three people sleeping on the streets.

But he said most people who dealt with homelessness in Bradford knew the actual number was much higher.

Mr Din said: “Our own records would indicate that there are more than ten sleeping rough around Bradford. But the plan is now the service is up for this intention, we are going to monitor its need.

“I am hoping we will be able to develop the services to bring an end to rough sleeping in Bradford. I think this could be the start of that.

“We know there is the willingness of those in the partnership and so I seriously believe we could end rough sleeping in Bradford.”

Guidance from the Department for Communities and Local Government says provision for people sleeping rough must be available if the temperature drops below zero for several consecutive nights.

Sarah Possingham, Bradford Council’s access to housing manager, said the scheme had also received funding from the Council’s Supporting People programme.

She said: “The approach differs from previous facilities offered by BCCP in that the range of providers is wider and it will be available over a longer period of time when previously the night shelter services were offered over Christmas only.”

The phoneline will be available from services such as the police, soup kitchens and social services. It is answered by Incommunities, who then find accommodation.

Michaela Jackson, deputy manager of temporary accommodation for Incommunities, said more private landlords needed to become socially aware.

She said: “We would have a number of bed spaces we could access for rough sleepers and we would link rough sleepers up with a homeless assessment officer at Incommunities and link them in with Bevan House Health Centre for any medical needs they might have.

“But what we would also need is for more private landlords to be more socially aware and take people into their accommodation that have had housing difficulties in the past.”

l Anyone in need of overnight shelter should call 0845 1208 167.

e-mail: james.rush@telegraphandargus.co.uk