No second night out for rough sleepers
As World Homeless Day approaches this weekend (October 10), Dudley Council is reminding people to report anyone thought to be rough sleeping so they can access help and support.
Dudley borough does have a traditionally low number of rough sleepers and operates a no second night out rule.
If someone is reported and found to be sleeping rough, they will be offered immediate emergency accommodation through the council’s homelessness prevention team.
The team also helps people who are worried about losing their home or have nowhere permanent to stay.
In the last 12 months hundreds of people have been supported through the team and given guidance on reducing their risk of becoming homeless.
The council recently received of £150,000 through the government’s rough sleepers’ initiative which will support this area of work.
Last month the council also launched Change into Action across Dudley borough. Change into Action is a regional campaign, which allows people to make online donations to support people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in their local area.
It’s provides people with an alternative choice to giving change to people on the streets with the reassurance that every penny donated will go towards helping someone.
So far, more than £250 in donations have been received. Donations are administered by Dudley Council for Voluntary Service and managed by the council’s delivery partner, CHADD.
Councillor Laura Taylor-Childs, cabinet member for housing and community services, said:
Once again, this World Homeless Day gives us the opportunity to take stock on the work we do to keep people in their homes and reduce the risk of homelessness.
Our homelessness prevention team will continue to provide the support people need if they are worried about losing their home or find themselves with nowhere to stay.
I’m also really pleased to see we’ve got our Change into Action website off the ground and people are already showing their generosity and making donations.
Often people ask us how they can help people who are at risk of homelessness or begging for money on the streets. Change into Action provides people with a choice to donate, knowing that every single penny they donate will be used to make a difference.
Change into Action launched in Dudley borough last month and is part of a regional campaign organised by the West Midlands Combined Authority.
The council’s delivery partner Churches Housing Association of Dudley and District (CHADD) will use the money to help people in financial hardship, those experiencing food poverty and fuel poverty to prevent the cycle of homelessness.
They will also help young people, young parents and victims of domestic abuse with essential items such appliances and furniture to enable them to set up a new safe long-term home.
CHADD will also work with other local agencies to spend the donations where they are most needed, to help give rough sleepers proactive support and financial help to move away from sleeping rough and into longer term housing.
Anyone at risk or becoming homeless or in need of support can call the homelessness prevention service via Dudley Council Plus on 0300 555 2345.
People can report a rough sleeper via wwww.streetlink.org.uk, by calling 0300 555 0030 or through the Change into Action website - https://changeintoaction.org.uk/dudley