Lockdown support for city’s rough sleepers

Organisations across Kent are urging Boris Johnson to announce further measures to protect people from ending up sleeping rough, as the county heads into the second lockdown. When the nation was told to remain in their homes back in March, the government’s ‘Everyone In’ scheme was announced, which ensured emergency accommodation was provided by local authorities for all rough sleepers.

But they are yet to announce any such provision this time around, despite the cold and wet November weather which threatens the lives of those who are experiencing homelessness. Graeme Solly, project leader at Catching Lives in Canterbury, says action needs to be taken immediately to protect those on the streets who are most at risk. He said: “Getting everyone into accommodation and then offering them support to maintain it is definitely the way forward.

“From our own experience as a charity for over a decade, the longer people spend on the streets, especially in the colder wetter weather, the harder it becomes to support people into housing.”

Mr Solly fears the pandemic will continue to push more people onto the streets who need support from homeless charities like Catching Lives. He said: “We’re still seeing around 25-30 people a day, and in September we had more clients this year than we did last year. “We’re obviously concerned not just about the people who are currently on the streets and what’s going to happen with winter provision, but a new wave of homeless people as to the effects of Covid, in terms of evictions, health issues and loss of employment.”

The shelter has enough space for six people at a time to come in due to social distancing guidelines, but as the cold nights continue to close in the demand has ballooned.

Graeme said: “The struggle now is that with the colder weather there’s more people who want to come in. “Now we’re having to rotate people a bit more because people can’t sit in the building for so long, it’s starting to take its toll on people and it’s starting to become more and more difficult as the weather gets worse.” The Gazette understands Canterbury City Council is preparing to announce its measures to protect rough sleepers from today, which could include bringing forward the annual winter provision.

But at the time of publishing they were not able to confirm the plans. Porchlight welcomes all provisions organised by local councils, but believes central government needs to match itsactions from the last lockdown and reinstate the ‘Everyone In’ emergency accommodation scheme.