The government has released the annual rough sleeping figures for the country and Solihull’s figure remains at between one and four people sleeping rough.
Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Stronger and Safer Communities, Cllr Alison Rolf, said: “The annual figures for people sleeping rough in Solihull remain consistently low when compared with both national and regional figures. This is largely due to the patience and dedication of our outreach workers and I would like to thank them for their tireless work in helping rough sleepers to move into safe accommodation. Nobody needs to sleep rough in Solihull but we recognise that moving off the streets is difficult for some people and our outreach workers support them until they are ready to do so.
“I would also like to thank our residents for helping by being our eyes and ears. This is a large borough so we rely on people using the national reporting system – Streetlink – to let us know where people are sleeping rough so that we can support them as soon as possible. As with most things, the earlier that help can be given, the better the success rates.
“We have some new programmes that are helping to support people who have been sleeping rough and who often have very complex needs. We are involved with the regional Housing First Pilot and currently have 16 people on this programme. Since its launch in 2019, we have supported 26 people into their own tenancies through this programme. We are also supporting St Basils’ Crashpad which has supported 48 people in the past year.
“Lastly, I know people in this borough will also want to help. As well as reporting people that you think are sleeping rough to Streetlink, please support our campaign Change into Action Solihull. By donating online - or by using the new contactless payment points which will soon be available – people can be confident that their money is supporting people who are genuinely in need of help.”
To contact Solihull Community Housing for emergency provision, call 0121 717 1515 (24/7)
To report and refer someone for help that you think is sleeping rough, contact Streetlink at www.streetlink.org (If you use the what3words app too that is especially helpful.)
To view the latest government figures for rough sleeping see – Rough sleeping snapshot in England: autumn 2021 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
To make a donation to Change into Action visit www.changeintoaction.org.uk/solihull
If you think the person you are concerned about is in immediate danger then please call 999.