Sad sign of the times as rough sleeper beds down in snow-hit Stoke-on-TrentThis shocking image was captured at 9am today as temperatures to -6C overnightView Image A rough sleeper outside Sandon Road Supermarket this morningThe plight of Stoke-on-Trent's rough sleepers has been highlighted as a homeless man bedded down on a snow-covered pavement. The city council spent £1.06 million on hotel rooms for homeless people in one year. "Using hotel accommodation just isn't sustainable. ‌Local authorities have a legal duty to assist people facing homelessness, and this can often mean placing them in emergency accommodation on a short-term basis. In addition to the use of hotel accommodation, the city council also has its own homeless units.

Source: The Times January 05, 2026 21:43 UTC