A snapshot into the number of rough sleepers across South Kesteven has shown a reduction on the previous figure.
The rough sleeper count takes place every year with volunteers from South Kesteven District Council taking to the streets to seek and support anyone found sleeping rough.
Local authorities across England take a single night snapshot of people sleeping rough, either with a physical count or an estimate based on their caseload and advice from partner agencies.
This year, SKDC took a count-based approach and on the night of 18 November 2021, volunteers checked shop doorways, local parks, under passes and known rough sleeper locations in Grantham and Stamford.
Cabinet Member for Housing Cllr Robert Reid said: “Two individuals were recorded as rough sleeping this year, which was a reduction to the six counted in the previous year. These figures go some way to show the good work that our rough sleeper initiative, Change4Lincs has been doing over the past two years.
“South Kesteven District Council is the lead authority for this project and host the team employed to deliver these objectives. The team works in conjunction with our housing options team, which provides advice and assistance to all households who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.
“Anyone concerned about someone over the age of 18 they have seen sleeping rough can call free on 0800 121 4430. Please give as much detail as possible so that we can locate them and offer our support.”
This annual count takes place in autumn rather than summer, where numbers are likely to be higher due to warmer temperatures or winter, where numbers may be lower as more temporary night shelters are set up to ensure people do not sleep rough on the streets in very cold weather.
One person was located in Grantham, asleep on a bench. SKDC had previously been notified but were unable to find him. He engaged with the council’s homeless service and went to stay with a friend.
The other was already known to be living in a tent in Stamford. He remained in situ with ongoing outreach support from Change4Lincs and has now sourced his own accommodation.
Change4Lincs is a project run by SKDC in partnership with North Kesteven, South Holland and West Lindsey. It is to provide a new response to tackle rough sleeping through partnership working with the housing options teams in each district.
Staff identify and engage with rough sleepers, source accommodation and provide intense support, giving people a chance to escape homelessness and transition into settled accommodation.
The main objectives of the project are to:
Provide increased prevention work for those at risk of rough sleeping
Reduce the number of ‘repeat’ rough sleepers
Reduce the number of rough sleepers that are likely to become entrenched
Improve physical and mental health and wellbeing
Provide greater levels of effective support in unstable accommodation
Source sustainable private sector accommodation which meets the needs of a wide range of customers
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