ROUGH sleeping in Warwick District has fallen by more than 40 per cent – taking the number of people on the streets to the lowest in six years.
During November 12 people were counted as sleeping on the streets – compared to 21 at the same time last year.
Warwick District Council says it is a drop of more than 40 per cent and is the lowest for six years.
Councillors believe it is due to the initiatives put in place as part of a £3million commitment to tackle rough sleeping. This includes the opening of William Wallsgrove House in September as a hostel, which provides round the clock accommodation, support and referrals for around 20 people all the year round, and the provision of further accommodation to support people with complex needs.
Staff have also been appointed to tackle the issue and homelessness charity P3 has brought in extra support across the district.
Spokesman for housing, Coun Peter Phillips said: “This is an encouraging start and testament to the hard work of the ‘rough sleeping’ team. These latest figures clearly demonstrate we are moving in the right direction with our aim to eliminate street homelessness in the district.
“However, the work of our ‘rough sleeping’ team continues with more people still to help, in not just providing a temporary fix for those sleeping on the streets, but in providing these vulnerable people with the specialist support and care they need to help them turn their lives around.“
Council representatives will be on hand with local organisations and charities at Leamington Town Hall between 12noon and 3pm on Wednesday (December 12) to give more information about homelessness.
They will be giving information about rough sleeping, services available and how to help.
