FOUR rough sleepers and a homeless person have been placed into permanent accommodation thanks to a new scheme run by multiple agencies in Ipswich.

The Ipswich Locality Homelessness Partnership (ILHP) – formed by 35 agencies and stakeholders – was created last year in a bit to rid the town of homelessness and in turn transform the lives of those sleeping rough.

The group has this week revealed that accommodation had been found for five rough sleepers during the recent spell of treacherous weather conditions.

Now the group is encouraging members of the public to offer a helping hand in re-homing those in need, after it emerged that more than 20 people are sleeping rough on the streets of Ipswich every night.

Demelza Penberth, project manager for the new initiative, said the group believed homelessness was an issue for the whole community and not just the individual. She encouraged the public to help get people off the streets by using a StreetLink telephone line which alerts the local authorities about rough sleepers in their area.

The partnership launched its No Second Night Out initiative last year after it emerged more than 1,000 homeless people in the town approach hostels needing a place to stay each year.

It is hoped that the rough sleepers, the partnership and the community can work together to rid the town of homelessness.

The StreetLink service allows people to act when they see homeless people in Ipswich by reporting and referring people needing assistance.

You can call StreetLink on 0300 5000914 or you can visit www.streetlink.org.uk for further information about the nationwide scheme.