THE NUMBER of people sleeping rough in Solihull has doubled in a year.
According to Government figures there were eight people sleeping rough in the autumn compared to four in 2021.
The national annual rough sleeping figures are produced as a snapshot by every council’s in the country on a single night in autumn.
Alongside this snapshot, Solihull Council says it tracks patterns and numbers to inform its outreach work throughout the year.
Councillor Karen Grinsell, cabinet member for partnerships and wellbeing, said: “There are various reasons why a person rough sleeps however one of the contributing factors we’re now seeing is as a result of cost-of-living pressures which can affect people’s finances, family relationships and mental health.
“My message remains that no one needs to sleep rough in Solihull.
“Since January 2022 we have supported 14 people who were rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping into secure accommodation. We have also supported ten individuals and two organisations with additional funding through Change into Action Solihull.”
She said the Council has reorganised its rough sleeper outreach team after seeing changes in rough sleeping patterns after the pandemic, by starting at 5.30am and visiting new areas.
Coun Grinsell added: “They are also working right across the borough, engaging with local communities and the emergency services to increase awareness of Streetlink, the national reporting organisation.
“By doing this they’ve increased the reporting of rough sleepers and the team is well placed to respond to new reports.
“Residents, commuters and visitors can all help us by continuing to report and refer anyone that they think is sleeping rough to Streetlink, the national reporting organisation.
“Please don’t think someone else has done this so there’s no point. Every report helps the team to do their job of helping people off the streets and into a place they will be able to call their home.”
