City is hoping that streets will be free of rough sleepers this Christmas
SHELTERS WILL BE MAKING THINGS FESTIVE
HOMELESSNESS is an ongoing challenge in cities such as Derby, but a reduction in the number of people rough sleeping in the city over the past four years has meant there should be very few on the streets over Christmas and the New Year period.
At the last census in November 2020, the number of rough sleepers in Derby was five – a reduction from 14 in 2019, 26 in 2018 and 37 the year before. The official figures for the 2021 rough-sleeper estimate will be announced by the Government in early 2022.
Whilst the most visible form of homelessness is rough sleeping, and perhaps the first image that many people would think of, most of the homelessness approaches to Derby City Council council are of less visible forms.
This is such as where households are affected by family or friends being unable to accommodate them (33%), the end of a private rented tenancy (17%), domestic abuse (24%), relationship breakdown (12%) or eviction from supported housing (14%).
Derby Homes is responsible for co-ordinating the city’s response to homelessness and for delivering the council’s statutory homelessness services.
A successful rollout of the Covid vaccination programme has seen
242 single homeless people, who are living in hostels and council or housing association accommodation, receive their first vaccination and 132 of these have received a second dose.
A further targeted campaign will see more people receive boosters and flu vaccinations over the coming weeks.
The collective approach taken in the city has seen every person who is homeless or at risk of homelessness offered accommodation as Derby continues to operate an “everyone in” approach.
Throughout the year, there are a
wide range of services available in Derby to support homeless people and rough sleepers, including the council’s Housing Options service, the city’s street outreach teams, hostel networks, the Safe Space initiative, the multi-agency rough sleepers hub (MARSH) and supported housing providers networks.
The people responsible for engaging rough sleepers are members of the rehousing engagement and support team (REST), who patrol the city every day looking for people in need of help.
It’s been business as usual on Christmas Eve for REST members.
Then they will take a break until next Wednesday, Thursday and New Year’s Eve, covering early morning outreach on those dates. They will ensure that rough sleepers get somewhere to sleep indoors, if they wish to do so.
The council’s Housing Options department is also covering the same dates to provide a service for anyone who is homeless during the Christmas period.
Careline operates the out of hours service, for anyone who may be homeless or rough sleeping during this time.
For those who are staying at Milestone House in Green Lane, every effort is made to make it feel like a traditional Christmas.
A spokesman said: “There are plenty of Christmas activities over the next couple of weeks. Covid has unfortunately prevented the traditional larger parties we once enjoyed, but we will be providing smaller buffets and refreshments in every unit.
“On Christmas Eve, we offer a buffet meal with mince pies, chocolates and soft drinks, while on Christmas Day, residents will receive gifts and a hot buffet lunch.
“We will also be offering refreshments available throughout the day on Boxing Day and the New Year.
“Our staff will ensure Milestone House exudes an air of festive cheer with their own festive attire throughout the season.”