ON THE STREETS
only going to go down the road, or somewhere else.”
South Wales Police say “protecting the most vulnerable is a priority in the communities they serve”, and officers work closely with partners to ensure services are available for those in need.
But they say they are equally committed to tackling crime and antisocial behaviour in the city centre, which is regularly highlighted in PACT meetings.
Swansea council, meanwhile, has just finished consultation on a draft homeless strategy to ensure advice, accommodation and support is available to everyone to prevent homelessness.
The authority’s strategy describes demand for social housing as high.
In May, there were 450 households who were vulnerably housed or threatened with homelessness on the council’s waiting list of approximately 5,000.
Council figures reveal rough sleeping, as in the rest of Wales, is on the rise in Swansea, with a 44% increase in estimated number of rough sleepers across Wales between 2015 and 2017, compared with 37% in Swansea – and predicts a potential increase.
It identifies the continuing impact of the economic climate, financial pressures and personal debt as reasons, and also notes a lack of one-bedroom accommodation, in particular affordable housing for under-35-year-olds.
The draft strategy concludes that although Swansea is “well served with an extensive range of temporary accommodation”, it needs to look at improving provision.
Swansea council cabinet member for homes and energy, Councillor Andrea Lewis said: “The extent and complexity of the issues that face the council and its partners over the next four years should not be under-estimated.
“However, publishing a strategy is the easy bit. Homelessness cannot be solved by simply securing housing. Tackling homelessness is the responsibility of the council as a corporate body and has major implications for us delivering on our corporate goals to safeguard vulnerable people and children and to tackle poverty.
“We will ensure that homelessness continues to hold a high priority at a corporate level.”