May milestone of zero rough sleepers shows progress in homelessness prevention
Liaising with landlords and building trust with rough sleepers has helped East Hampshire District Council take huge strides in the battle against homelessness in the district.
Homelessness prevention requires constant attention and although East Hampshire has a comparatively low level of rough sleeping, it is a danger that can affect any individual.
The progress being made on the issue was demonstrated recently when we recorded no rough sleepers in the month of May. The monthly average is four.
Cllr Adeel Shah, Portfolio Holder for Community Development and Engagement, said: “Homelessness is not common in East Hampshire but to have no recorded people rough sleeping for a month is exceptionally rare and a testament to the fantastic work of the team here at East Hampshire District Council.
“Saving people from homelessness is a challenging but important task. You are working with people that live complicated and difficult lives and who very often reject the support being offered.
“Not only is this important work for the welfare of the individual concerned but it also saves the heavy demands on the public purse that homelessness can lead to.
“Homelessness is an issue that can affect anyone, it only takes bad luck, ill health or a sudden change in personal circumstances for a life to be turned upside down.
“There will always be more work to do but to have even one month where we can find no trace of anyone sleeping rough in East Hampshire is a true achievement, of which we are very proud.”
A large part of our recent progress is recently-appointed Community Outreach Worker, James Kirkham.
Through building relationships with people who are rough sleeping or threatened with homelessness, James has been able to help people into housing, guiding them through complicated processes, or prevent them falling into homelessness at all.
By working with landlords he has found new homes on the private rental market for people not eligible for emergency accommodation.
James, who has been working as a Community Outreach Worker since February, said: “Due to the dedication of the supportive housing team, we’ve been able to help rough sleepers move into safe, stable accommodation.
“Everyone supported has worked hard to engage with our clients and they’re thrilled with their new homes as well as the positive changes and the new opportunities this has brought to their lives.”
EHDC is hoping to employ a second outreach worker to further the progress being made on homelessness.
If you have seen someone leaping rough, or if you are sleeping rough, please log the relevant details on Streetlink, below