More Than 150 People Found Sleeping Rough In Liverpool
The number of people out on the streets has dropped compared to the same period in 2024, reports the Liverpool Echo.
More than 150 people were found to be rough sleeping as temperatures dipped across Liverpool last month. Analysis by the city council has revealed how almost 2,000 calls were made to its Always Help Available helpline during December regarding people facing the challenges of homelessness. Working in partnership with the Whitechapel Centre, the local authority reopened its night assessment hub to provide a safe space for those who find themselves without a roof over their head.
Cllr Hetty Wood, cabinet member for housing, said how 56 people were able to access support services last month. The average stay for those in need was totalled at 10 days. Compared to 12 months previous, the number of people sleeping rough is down by 13%. Cllr Wood said: “From those 56, there were 32 positive move-ons and the council and the Whitechapel centre will continue working with anybody who needs it.” Throughout December, 112 people were supported into new accommodation or supported into a return to existing solutions.
The housing lead added: “These interventions are impactful but they do need to continue and we need to continue the services and it’s absolutely key that we don’t stop the work that we’re doing. More and more people are becoming homeless and rough sleeping due to the cost of living crisis and we need to be providing that support.”
The stats come as the city council confirmed it had signed a deal to provide on-site support for those who are homeless and require low to medium levels of support. YMCA Together delivers all housing management functions including a 24-hour concierge and the support provider will deliver the 24-hour support service to the service users. The aim of the service will be to improve the long-term health and wellbeing of those needing support while aiding their transition into more permanent accommodation. It is thought the move will save the local authority around £1.8m on expensive bed and breakfast accommodation.
The contract will be in place for up to two years with the option to extend for a further three. It is proposed the services will be provided at Camden Place, Camden Street. The on-site service will be capable of supporting up to 49 service users at any one time. Under current B&B arrangements, Liverpool Council pays the full nightly cost, often unrecoverable from housing benefit. Under the proposed new arrangements most or all of the rent can be covered by benefits, not the council’s core budget.
Cllr Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool Council, said: “Preventing homelessness will always be a key political priority of this administration. We believe passionately that everybody should be in good quality accommodation. We’re still having to deal with a national emergency that is particularly acute in cities, Liverpool and other big cities as well.”
