Last night, the council announced that Labour and Green colleagues will be working in partnership to provide a range of services for people who are rough sleeping.
The new services were announced in a bid to do more to help those in need on our streets.
The new measures include:
- An assessment service, which is set to open by the winter, will provide help for people with a connection to the city who are rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping. The service will work closely with the wide range of statutory services, community organisations and voluntary sector organisations available locally.
- A night shelter is also planned to open by the winter. A potential venue has been found and work is underway to make sure the service opens as soon as possible.
- The Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) aims to prevent loss of life in extraordinary weather conditions. The SWEP will include a more flexible approach to ensure that rough sleepers are offered shelter in extreme and cold weather and heavy rain.
Cllr Nicole Brennan, deputy chair of housing committee, has consistently raised her concerns for the well-being of rough sleepers and the homeless in our city. She said:
“I am very concerned with the plight of the homeless in this county and city as a result of the housing crisis that has been caused by lack of government investment in housing and services. Underfunded and overburdened services in health and social care add to the desperate situation many people find themselves in.
“I’m also concerned about rough sleepers who for different reasons do not access or feel comfortable using the services available. They are still human beings who need to be treated with dignity and respect. One of my aims is to develop services to meet their needs by listening to what they have to say.”
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