Concerns that ‘sofa-surfers’ are overlooked
WHILE there were lengthy discussions over the council’s approach to rough sleepers at last week’s special housing meeting, questions were also raised over what was being done to assist ‘sofa surfers’ who obtain shelter night to night relying on the generosity of friends and family.
Cllr Andrew Bolger pointed out that these people often aren’t regarded as ‘rough sleepers’ but are also in dire straits.
‘Early intervention is key,’ said Michelle Bridges Carley of the housing department. ‘While it may not be ideal, the sofa surfer has shelter. When people present to us as homeless, for many different reasons, and seek advice, sometimes they may have to remain in a sofa surfing situation. In the short term, we try to hold them in the property that they are in rather than have them out sleeping rough.
If people are issued with a notice to quit, our homeless supports kick in immediately. We ensure that their social housing application is in order
and look at HAP. The problem there is that a lot of landlords look for a deposit and two months rent in advance, which is a lot of money.’
Cllr Jim Codd felt that ‘sofa surfers, and I hate that term, are not being deemed in need’.
‘It’s a very moveable thing,’ he said. ‘You could have a sofa to sleep on tonight, but find yourself with no shelter tomorrow night. I really think we need to start looking at crash beds.’