Northern Reporter

HOMELESS people who took over an empty NHS building in Salford as a community home will be in court next week facing eviction.

On Tuesday their case will be heard at Manchester county court, and they will be represented by the Greater Manchester Law Centre.

As reported in the Morning Star, the former GPs’ surgery has been empty and disused for nine years.

In November a group of homeless people moved into the building and used it as a base from which to rebuild their lives.

The building is providing respite from the day-to-day problems of surviving on the streets.

As a result some have found permanent homes, been reunited with their families, and found jobs.

Around 15 homeless people have been living in the building.

But the NHS wants to sell the building to raise cash and has taken legal action to have the people evicted.

At an earlier court hearing the homeless people were given a six-month reprieve to prepare their legal case.

For the last five months they have been supported by the local community around the centre, the Salvation Army and the Salford Unemployed and Community Resource Centre, which is a trade union-backed project.

The centre has organised medical, dental and other services for the homeless people occupying the surgery.

Centre manager Alec McFadden said: “The homeless people who took over the disused surgery have become part of the local community. The logic would be for the centre to remain open serving its current purpose with the right support.”