West Suffolk Council to launch new scheme to help rough sleepers
- Credit: PA
A new service to help rough sleepers in West Suffolk is being launched.
The service, which has been put together by West Suffolk County Council, will offer supported accommodation with personalised health care.
The aim of the initiative is to tailor support around the individual and provide a range of physical and mental health services that are required.
It is part of the wider work of the council designed to improve outcomes for individuals and stop the pattern of homelessness from reoccurring.
Councillor and Cabinet member for Housing at West Suffolk Council, Sara Mildmay-White, said: “We have been working for a number of years to reduce rough sleeping in West Suffolk, investing in as well as securing Government funds for different types of accommodation and support needs.
You may also want to watch:
“Our whole approach is about helping people rebuild their lives.
“This initiative to provide personalised healthcare is very much part of that ethos and we are delighted to be working in partnership with the MVA and CCG to offer this new service.”
Most Read
- 1 Murder-suicide probe after couple found dead in Woodbridge
- 2 'Our fund is $13 billion and we’re holding $700m in cash' - The money behind Ipswich Town's new owners
- 3 Woman arrested on suspicion of drink-driving following A14 crash
- 4 'You either deliver or you leave' - Cook's message to Town players
- 5 National Trust 'deeply saddened' at death of volunteers in Woodbridge incident
- 6 Paul Cook speaks about Ipswich Town takeover for first time
- 7 Woodbridge community 'saddened' after couple found dead by police
- 8 The first five jobs for Ipswich Town's new owners
- 9 Serious crash closes road in Bury St Edmunds near A14
- 10 Long queues at Primark from 7am in Ipswich as lockdown eases
West Suffolk Council has already invested in extra accommodation as well as securing funds from the Government’s Next Steps Accommodation Programme for longer term accommodation for people with medium to high needs.
A spokesperson for West Suffolk Council said: “Despite the challenges around COVID-19, West Suffolk Council has continued to reduce rough sleeping through accommodation and support.
“In September 2018, when the rough sleeper support team was first set up, there were 36 rough sleepers in West Suffolk.
“Now there are currently five people, all of whom have declined offers of accommodation.
“The figure can change as people leave or accept accommodation and the Council continues to try to encourage those people who are still rough sleeping to take up the support and accommodation on offer.”
