Hull has seen a 31 per cent decrease in the number of rough sleepers – bucking the national trend.
Rough sleeper figures published by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government showed numbers in the city have fallen from 26 to 18 since the last count in 2018.
Nationally, there was a nine per cent decrease in the number of people sleeping rough. The 83 local authorities that received money from the Rough Sleeping Initiative recorded an average 12 per cent decrease.
Hull is attributing its fall in the number of rough sleepers to the broad cross-section of specialist homeless provision offered by the council and its partners.
Support ranges from outreach support through Emmaus Hull and East Riding, emergency bed provision, a multi-agency rapid assessment hub, the city’s Housing Options team and hostels and supported housing run by partner organisations.
Councillor John Black, Hull City Council’s portfolio holder for housing, said: “The city has an adequate supply of beds and can access more when the temperatures drop.
“However, tackling homelessness is about much more than offering a bed for a couple of nights because most rough sleepers and people at risk of becoming homeless, are vulnerable and can have complex needs, such as health and addiction problems, or may be fleeing from a violent family situation.”
Last year, Hull City Council’s Housing Options team prevented 2,366 people from becoming homeless. The team can arrange temporary accommodation and help with rehousing.
People who find themselves at risk of becoming homeless should contact the team, which offers a walk-in service at the Wilson Centre in Alfred Gelder Street and an out-of-hours service on 01482 300304.
