The number of people facing a night on the street continues to increase across the city
A rough sleeping hub has opened a month early due to an increased number of people facing a night on the street across Liverpool this winter. As temperatures are expected to drop once again, the city council has confirmed it will once again provide a temporary centre for those in desperate need of accommodation.
Liverpool’s trend of rough sleeping has ticked upward throughout 2024 when compared to the same period last year. The average number of people seen each night rough sleeping between April and September 2024 was 30, an increase on the average of 22 people seen per night over the same period in 2023.
Each year in preparation for winter, Liverpool Council works with local partners to ensure there are a range of additional solutions in place during the worst of the winter, including ‘sit-up’ spaces and block-booked hotel rooms. All this provision is aligned to the council’s severe weather emergency protocol (SWEP) response.
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Over the last three winters, Liverpool has triggered SWEP on an average of seven occasions and 25 nights each winter. The local authority has confirmed it will provide a nightly service for those in need from 8pm to 7.30am, seven days a week until March 31.
The hub, which is close to the city centre, is opening a month earlier than last winter due to higher numbers of rough sleepers, has essential amenities and provides a safe space, with separate rooms for men and women, from which to assess people’s housing and support needs. People assessed as sleeping rough will be permitted to stay overnight in a sit-up style provision until accommodation, or another solution is sourced.
Access to the Hub will be co-ordinated by the Rough Sleeper Outreach team. Direct access will not be permitted, with the facility operating a limited capacity.
Councillor Sam East, cabinet member for housing, said: “I’m pleased we’ve been able to work with the Whitechapel Centre to provide this facility over the winter, as we did last year, to assess rough sleepers in a safe space. This is not a night shelter anyone can just walk into, it’s a dedicated resource focused on helping to identify the needs of an individual and getting them into accommodation, where required, and other services as quickly as possible.
“It’s not the only service we provide and will complement the other elements of our winter plan and other rough sleeping services, but I want to be clear – this won’t stop the problem of rough sleeping. We have a long-term plan to address homelessness, and I hope people give their views in our consultation on the draft strategy.
“Their feedback is critical in shaping our plans but we also need the support of government and a multitude of other agencies to achieve the progress everyone wants to see.” The hub may also not be suitable for everyone, for instance those with access to accommodation they can safely return to and risk will need to be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Anyone with concerns about someone sleeping rough should contact the Always Help Available helpline: 0300 123 2041. More information can be found at https://liverpool.gov.uk/housing/homeless-or-at-risk/homeless/
