Council pledges ‘Always a bed for rough sleepers during the cold weather’

Every rough sleeper in Swansea is being offered a bed this winter if they want one, the Council has pledged.

The reminder of the year-round ‘always a bed’ pledge is being delivered by the Council alongside local charities, health services and housing associations as the winter nights get colder.

Although there are considerable challenges ahead, the Council has pledged to continue the effort put in to support people sleeping rough through the pandemic and help them stay safe and healthy.

Cllr Andrea Lewis, Joint Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Service Transformation, said that extra funding from Welsh Government since the pandemic has helped the council speed-up its work to safeguard people sleeping rough.

She said: “Our pledge is that there is a bed for anyone who needs one. Alongside our partners, we are getting the message out to people sleeping rough that no matter how vulnerable they may feel, there is a bed available for them.

“Thanks to support from the Welsh Government and strong partnership working between local charities, health, housing associations and private sector providers, anyone found sleeping rough has been and will continue to be offered accommodation and the necessary support to maintain their accommodation

“Since the start of the pandemic we have helped more than 1,100 homeless households out of temporary accommodation and either into supported housing or a permanent home of their own. 

“Temporary accommodation is an important stop-gap measure because it makes the difference between people having somewhere to stay or sleeping rough.

“Additional funding for 2022-23 means we can keep people safe from sleeping on the streets and provide help to access more permanent housing solutions.”

The Council has recently implemented it’s Housing Support Programme Strategy and services such as Ty Tom Jones temporary supported housing service, Housing First and rapid rehousing support have been expanded to ensure support is provided to the most vulnerable in the city.

In addition to this the council has expanded its temporary accommodation provision, such as the award-winning Bryn House.

Cllr Lewis said: “This is an example of an innovative approach bringing an empty building back to use for housing, alongside the use of modern construction methods of factory-built homes.

“The accommodation is a safe, secure and affordable option for those who need it until more permanent accommodation is secured. The council and partner organisations offer compassionate and timely support throughout the year.”

She said: “Before the pandemic hit the Council was already working hard to end rough sleeping. Partnership working has enabled us to build on the success of what’s been achieved, and we will continue the focus on tackling rough sleeping and homelessness.”

If you see a person sleeping rough you think needs support, you can help them by reporting it to the Streetlink organisation online or via the app at www.streetlink.org.uk  – their team will pass the information on to the council and its partners to take action.