THE government has released the annual rough sleeping figures for the country and Solihull’s figure is six people, down by two on the previous year.
The national annual rough sleeping figures are produced as a snapshot by every local authority in the country on a single night in autumn in order to monitor rough sleeping patterns year on year and region by region.
Solihull Council’s cabinet member for housing, Coun Mark Parker, said: “The annual figure for people sleeping rough in Solihull is usually low when compared with national figures.
“This year’s decrease in numbers is testament to the work undertaken by the council’s Rough Sleeper Outreach team in partnership with other statutory and voluntary sector agencies.”
The council have recently relaunched the St Basils Solihull Youth Hub drop-in centre at Chelmsley Wood Library, making it more accessible for young people facing or at risk of homelessness to access early advice and assistance.
Coun Parker added: “In addition, the Council has supported 21 people who were rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping into accommodation and 11 grants have been awarded to individuals and organisations through our campaign Change into Action Solihull (CiA).
“CiA plays an important role in raising money and awareness of how best to help people who are sleeping rough.
“Since its launch in Solihull it has awarded £50,000 in grants to local groups to help provide additional items or training that will help people into or to remain in safe accommodation.
“Please work with us to reduce rough sleeping and homelessness by continuing to report and refer anyone that you think is sleeping rough to Streetlink and by donating to CiA if you are able.”
