It has been confirmed that all those who were sleeping rough in Wirral at the start of the pandemic have been found accommodation. In 2018, there were 16 people sleeping rough in the Borough.
The news follows a directive from the Government to get ‘everyone in’ and, with the cash to support it, Wirral Council, housing associations, charities and housing advisers have delivered.
In addition, a further 774 people have been found short term or permanent housing, including people at risk of becoming homeless, since the Government instructed all councils to act on 23 March.
Other measures included instructions to mortgage lenders to support homeowners who were struggling to pay mortgages and more protections for people who rent.
This week, Wirral has also been advised that the grant the Council receives for supporting homeless and rough sleepers will be increased again – from £301,000 now to £513,000 next year.
Councillor Ian Lewis (Conservative, Wallasey Ward) said: “While Wirral Council has received more than £170 million since the start of the pandemic, it’s how that money is used that matters most. I can’t think of many better ways than using a small part of it to find somewhere for homeless and rough sleepers to live.
“We all know that governments and political parties, of all colours, have historically failed to get to grips with this issue. Sadly, it’s taken a global pandemic for the cash to be found. But, now it has, we need to make sure we never return to what we had before.
“The extra cash for Wirral Council announced this week will help, as will the expertise of some of our housing associations and charities. By working together over these last nine months, they’ve shown what can be achieved. Thank you to all who have been involved.”
If you see someone who you think may be sleeping rough contact StreetlInk
Other related news:
- £46 million for 'Changing Futures' (10 December 2020)
- Funding for housing 3,300 rough sleepers (29 October 2020)
- Action to prevent care leavers becoming homeless (26 October 2020)
