Coronavirus (COVID-19) – How we are helping those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness through this crisis
Continuing to support our communities and deliver vital services at this time is crucial and we take this responsibility very seriously at SSDC.
We will be providing you with updates on how we’re continuing to work for you through this crisis, starting with supporting those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Actions we have taken
We have redeployed staff to support our homelessness service to boost the support we give to people and make some important changes to the service. Following government guidance we have made emergency changes at our hostel to remove shared accommodation, create areas for isolation and support residents on site with their health and welfare. We have moved our customers around in our temporary accommodation to enable them to isolate if necessary, and provide support to them in their accommodation if they are vulnerable.
Additionally, we have secured three new properties at very short notice from private landlords to support homeless people into safe self contained accommodation
On top of all of this, we have secured hotel accommodation for people needing self-contained en suite accommodation due to their vulnerability and we are in discussion with further local hotels to secure more accommodation if needed
This work will continue alongside key partners as we also work with Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to secure funds for homelessness to help put Government guidance into practice.
We are engaging daily with all people who are still sleeping rough to ensure they receive all the support they need through this crisis.
We will continue with our efforts to meet the Government ambition that no one is rough sleeping, that they have a place to go, and that no one is in unsuitable accommodation for self-isolating and staying safe.
Council Leader Val Keitch said: “Please be reassured that we are doing everything we can to assist the most vulnerable at this time and we have engaged with all our rough sleepers to either help them into emergency accommodation, or enable them to self-isolate safely with support from local agencies and charities.
“We have a fantastic workforce at SSDC who are doing everything they can to continue to ensure that we support you through this pandemic.”
If anybody requires help at this time or is at risk of being made homeless, please contact 01935 462462. If you are concerned about someone who is rough sleeping, please use the StreetLink website.
StreetLink exists to help end rough sleeping by enabling members of the public to connect people sleeping rough with local services that can support them.
If you are concerned about someone over the age of 18 that you have seen rough sleeping, you can use the website to send an alert to StreetLink. The details you provide are sent to SSDC who then act upon the information received. If the person you are concerned about is under 18, please do not contact StreetLink but instead call the police.