Organisations work together to offer accommodation to all rough sleepers in Warwick district

Warwick District Council and homelessness organisations have been working together to offer accommodation to all rough sleepers in the district.

Since the onset of the Coronavirus emergency, a team from Warwick District Council and their partners in the voluntary sector have been working together to ensure that all rough sleepers are given the option of moving into safe housing.

In the wake of the crisis, the council’s housing team secured additional furnished self-contained accommodation, which has been used to add to the rooms available at the council’s hostel, William Wallsgrove House, which remains open 24 hours a day seven days a week.

Following the lock-down which began on March 23, volunteers from local agencies including P3, The Salvation Army Way Ahead Project, Helping Hands, Cyrenians and LWS Night Shelter have worked to trace and offer accommodation to all those sleeping rough in the district.

All but two people are now in secure accommodation and those who have chosen not to be placed are engaging regularly with outreach officers.

Despite the efforts of local support agencies, the council is aware that a number of very vulnerable individuals, with complex needs and addictions are now finding their way back onto the streets, risking their health and those of others too, by asking directly for money.

Cllr Jan Matecki, Warwick District Council’s portfolio holder for housing and property, said: “I would like to give my heartfelt thanks to all volunteers and agencies who have been on the frontline helping the most vulnerable in our society during this crisis situation.

"The council would now like to make an appeal to the public not to offer cash to anyone asking for money on the street.

"Rather than giving directly please either direct these people to local support groups or donate to ‘Meaningful Change-Royal Leamington Spa’, a local multi-agency campaign made up of a number of charities who are all working together to provide meaningful and long-term support, to help these people to turn their lives around.”