Incidents of rough sleeping on the rise (From Malvern Gazette)

Incidents of rough sleeping on the rise in Herefordshire and Worcestershire

12:11pm Wednesday 27th February 2013 in News By Neil Watts

THE latest figures show the number of rough sleepers remains high in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Estimated numbers from the Department for Communities and Local Government have revealed 26 cases in Herefordshire and 61 in Worcestershire.

It also reveals a trend for rough sleepers moving to rural areas where crime levels are lower and support services are more readily available, while the two counties have seen recent significant increases in people accessing their services.

Herefordshire councillor Russell B Hamilton, cabinet member for environment, housing and planning said: “We are totally committed to preventing and reducing homelessness in the county and our dedicated housing solutions team has successfully engaged with most of our 26 rough sleepers.”

He added: “I am pleased to be able to report that as a result of the work we have been doing, seven rough sleepers have been housed recently, six are now staying with friends and another six have chosen to move on and left the county.

“Although this brings our total down to seven rough sleepers in Herefordshire, there can be no room for complacency and we will continue to do all we can to minimise the number of people in this situation.”

Nationally the numbers have also increased and the Homelessness Transition Fund has made £20 million available to local authorities to ensure front line provision prevents rough sleeping from occurring.