The number of people sleeping rough in Bath and North East Somerset is lower than last year, according to new figures, with over twenty people still on the streets during the survey earlier this month.
The latest estimate, carried out earlier in November, and independently verified by Homeless Link, found 22 people sleeping rough in the area – a drop from last year’s 27.
“Whilst acknowledging sleeping rough is a very real problem for the people involved, and even one person sleeping rough is one too many, it is encouraging to see that the work being done locally seems to be having a positive impact,” said Cllr Liz Richardson (Conservative, Chew Valley North), B&NES Council’s Cabinet Member for Homes & Planning.
“Early indications are that this goes against the national trend, with many areas seeing an increase in numbers.”
The estimate was as thorough as possible, with hostels, hospitals and the Police being asked about people in their care or custody who would otherwise be sleeping out.
Bath & North East Somerset Council commissions a specialist outreach service from Julian House and DHI, who work in partnership to support people sleeping rough with the aim of encouraging them into services such as Manvers Street hostel as a first step towards a more settled and safe life.
Partnership working between agencies such as the Council, Julian House, DHI, Specialist Drug and Alcohol Service, The Big Issue, Genesis, Southside, the RUH, AWP mental health services the Police and many others will ensure that support continues for rough sleepers.
Services include:
- 29 units of modern high quality accommodation with on-site medical provision.
- Julian House and DHI Reach Floating Support Service – provides individual rough sleepers with assertive help and support
- All day drop in centre –providing help, advice and assistance, hot meals, meaningful activities services etc.
- Supported Housing Gateway – web-based single access point for supported housing schemes.
- Priority on Homesearch Scheme for people in supported housing, and in some cases rough sleepers.
- Homefinder scheme – provide homeless people with funding for advance rent and deposit to access private housing. as well as people actually rough sleeping
- A Task & Targeting Group, a multi-agency group that shares information on and identifies solutions for named, entrenched rough sleepers.
- Have a Strategic Homelessness Partnership – partnership of local providers, commissioner and other interested parties to consider services and plan resources.
In addition there are a range of other services, including health, welfare, housing and employment services which rough sleepers are encouraged to access.
