AN EXTRA £1.3m is needed to cope with the impact of the pandemic as homelessness is set to soar in Coventry, councillors heard today (Thursday, September 17).
City councillors listened to plans to increase the number of properties to house homeless people, including former student accommodation in order to counter further pressure on housing.
Demand for accommodation is set to rise drastically across all groups, particularly families and single people during the rest of the year and into 2021. This, the council says, is due to evictions ending on September 20, the knock on effect of imminent recession and unemployment and an adverse impact on young people evicted from home by their parents/guardians due to financial pressures – as seen during previous economic downturns.
Up to 15 people are sleeping rough each evening in Coventry and around 95 people are being accommodated as a direct result of the city council’s Covid-19 response together with other agencies.
But the Council’s Housing and homelessness prevention service is currently looking into a number of schemes to support rough sleepers in the city include a Cornerstone Property Deal, Let’s Rent scheme and other properties, including former student accommodation. These were outlined to councillors at today’s Scrutiny Board meeting.
Coun David Welsh, the housing and communities cabinet member, said: “I’m really grateful for the continued commitment and efforts of Council staff and other agencies under what are challenging times. We can’t overstate how big of an achievement it is to support this many rough sleepers off the street and the what has been achieved in recent years.
“If we can purchase more suitable temporary accommodation we will be able to reduce our overall costs further. That’s why we working on a variety of schemes – including obtaining homes which were previously student accommodation.
“We are already working with other agencies as some of these schemes will be supported accommodation so that people can get the right support to keep them in their tenancy.”
During the pandemic the council’s outreach team and other agencies have so far helped more than 220 rough sleepers and those living in night shelters into temporary accommodation. The team has then maintained contact with those sleeping rough during the pandemic.
Over the last two years a homelessness prevention service has been helping the council and agencies address rough sleeping. Steps for Change offer a drop-in service for homeless people in City Arcade and other locations. The council also works with charities, churches and agencies across the city to prevent homelessness and to secure accommodation.
Coventry now has a Homeless Forum of more than 40 agencies which meets regularly and last August saw the start up of the Housing First scheme which supports long term rough sleepers with complex needs.
