Tackling homelessness and rough sleeping in Exeter
Tackling homelessness and rough sleeping in Exeter is a top priority, according to the City Council.
Exeter City Council works hard to support those who don't have a 'roof over their head' and Cllr Rob Hannaford, Lead Councillor for Housing and Community Involvement said that there was always emergency accommodation available to those that found themselves facing a night on the streets.
"Our latest research has shown that there are around 30 people rough sleeping in the city. That is 30 too many and we are constantly striving to reduce these figures and ensure that everyone in the city has a home."
The City Council carried out a Street Needs Audit from 6am on Thursday 13 December until 3am on Fri 14 December. A total of 104 people were seen to be engaged in street activity, ranging from selling the Big Issue to busking, begging, nuisance behaviour and rough sleeping.
From the audit, the City Council's twice weekly early morning outreach sessions and information from partners, it is estimated that around 30 of these individuals are sleeping rough on the streets of Exeter.
The City Council funds SHOT, the Street Homeless Outreach Team which is managed by the Shilhay Community. The Team provides a street-based assertive outreach service for people who are street homeless and rough sleeping, as well as advice and support to those vulnerably housed and at risk of rough sleeping.
The Team carries out a twice-weekly early morning outreach to engage with people where they sleep and refer them to appropriate accommodation and services. They build relationships with those who are reluctant to engage with services and check on the welfare and safety of those rough sleeping. They also run drop in sessions for confidential support and advice on accommodation options, tenancy sustainment, safety and welfare on the streets, signposting to relevant services and referrals for appropriate accommodation.
The Council also works closely with St Petrock’s a charity which helps people who are homeless or vulnerably housed, to lead more settled and fulfilling lives. The council funds St Petrocks to provide a housing resettlement worker within HMP Exeter and also to provide accommodation during severe weather.
Cllr Hannaford said that working with the homeless provided many challenges for the authority. "There are so many complexities involved with homelessness and rough sleeping and it is rarely as simple as providing a roof over a person's head. People who find themselves out on the street often carry with them a number of challenging issues which aren't simply addressed. These often involve alcohol and drugs habits and because of these, certain individuals are reluctant to be housed in temporary accommodation if this means curtailing their habit. A lot of people see the issue of rough sleeping as black and white, rarely is it so simple!"
Exeter City Council backs the No Second Night Out campaign aimed at ensuring those who find themselves sleeping rough for the first time need not spend a second night on the streets. It works closely with its partner organisations to ensure that help is available to everybody faced with homelessness. If people are concerned about somebody who is sleeping rough they can call a 24-hour helpline on 0800 151 3441.
