Homeless services under pressure with 'unprecedented number of people presenting, needing and being entitled' to help

The borough traditionally had low numbers of rough sleepers with around one to two individuals known to South Tyneside Council from previous counts.

But when the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting lockdown came into place, the council had to accommodate around 20-30 people at risk.

“The likelihood was that if we hadn’t accommodated them they could have ended up on the streets because they didn’t have an alternative,” said Anna Milner, operations manager for housing strategy.

The housing officer was speaking at Wednesday’s (September 30) Housing Performance Panel, which was held via videolink and broadcast on YouTube.

Councillors heard the sudden demand followed the Government’s ‘everyone in’ guidance, which led to people who were previously sofa surfing being at an increased risk of rough sleeping.

This was because some friends or families were ‘reluctant’ to accommodate extra people due to government guidance and risks surrounding Covid-19, the meeting heard.

The lockdown also saw ‘sit-up services’ halted and outreach services stretched, alongside limited face-to-face contact and reduced staff and resources.

Despite the initial spike in demand in the early stages of lockdown, housing chiefs said presentations to the homelessness service have decreased – mainly due to the Government’s eviction ban.

Over the last six or seven months there were 853 presentations, compared to 1,139 over the same period in 2019.

Housing boss, Anna Milner, stressed there was still an “unprecedented number of people presenting, needing and being entitled to being supported.”

As a result, there has been an increase in the use of temporary accommodation for those at risk of homelessness including hotels, B&Bs and the council’s stock of emergency housing.

Due to a lack of suitable accommodation, there was also an increase in out-of-borough placements.

Meanwhile, personal protective equipment was supplied to commissioned services and vulnerable people throughout the coronavirus crisis.

Challenges in coming months include local lockdowns and further restrictions, the lack of single person accommodation and the end of the eviction ban.

However, council bosses hope the borough will benefit from new government funding streams to help with homelessness pressures.

The ‘next steps accommodation fund’ includes a £105 million national pot to support people to move out of temporary accommodation.

In addition, a £161 million fund is available for longer-term provision and support during the 2020/21 financial year.

Cabinet member for housing and transport, Cllr Mark Walsh, welcomed the move but said more sustainable funding was needed locally.

He told the meeting: “There are many lessons that this Government needs to learn and one of them is that when people move into accommodation, whatever their age and whatever their circumstances, they do need a level of support.

“The funding is welcome with the way they’re doing it at the moment and they’re putting money and funds out left right and centre for different reasons and purposes.

“But my fear is that it’s a bit of a knee jerk reaction in response to Covid as opposed to having an actual strategy that takes us forward to sustain things going forward much better than what they are.”

Council officer, Anna Milner, added that data and evidence had been collected to help the council “shape services moving forward.”

She went on to say: “There have been quite significant impacts of Covid on services in the short-term.

“I think the impact of Covid on society in general will mean that, in the long run, homelessness services will have to change.

“Obviously we will wait for further guidance on that.”

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