It's a simple idea but one that has never been put into practice. To register for a vote in the forthcoming General Election people need an address and a postcode, which nationally excludes hundreds of thousands of people who are homeless – sleeping rough, sofa surfing or just 'no fixed abode'...
Now, the Salford Unemployed and Community Resource Centre in Eccles is to allow its office address and postcode to be used by any homeless person, after it cleared the ground breaking scheme with both Salford City Council and the relevant offices at Parliament.
"It's totally legal but also totally unique" says Alec McFadden, manager at the Eccles based Centre "They said it had never been done before in a mass way since universal franchise was brought in.
"We've got a breakfast club here for homeless people which runs five days a week, and what this initiative does is give those people at our centre, and anyone else, a way to register to use their right to vote in the coming General Election."
The Unemployed Centre will have printed registration forms and, once people are registered they came apply for a postal vote which will allow them to exercise their democratic right to have a say in who runs the country.
"Homelessness is a huge issue but if this was picked up nationally we're talking in excess of one million people and could be a massive factor in the election and, most importantly, the agenda of the election" Alec adds "This needs to happen all over, organisations need to piggyback it..."
Indeed, it's hoped that charities, churches and other organisations that help the homeless will run similar schemes before the registration cut off date of 22nd May for the June 8th General Election.
"I think it's a fantastic idea" says Angela 'Penny' Barratt of Salford and Manchester Street Support "Instead of all these organisations being gatekeepers they should be helping. We've been pushing for GPs to register homeless people – we've got doctors on the Salford Poverty Truth Commission so why can't they help too?"
For Angela, who works in a voluntary capacity directly with the street homeless in both Manchester and Salford, the issue goes wider than just registering to vote... "We need to get these organisations to help organise photo ID for the homeless so they can also open bank accounts and things like that too. But this is a great start..."
For further details and to register for the Election contact Salford Unemployed and Community Resource Centre
84-86 Liverpool Road
Eccles M30 0WZ
Phone 0161 789 2999
Open Monday to Friday 9am - 4.30pm
See the website - click here
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