Rough sleeping in Birmingham down by two thirds

The number of people sleeping rough in Birmingham has fallen by two thirds in a year, thanks to the city's response to the government's "Everyone In" drive at the start of the pandemic.

Official figures published on 25 February show that 17 people were recorded sleeping rough in Birmingham on a single night in the autumn 2020 count, compared with 52 the year before and 91 in 2018. That is a reduction of 67 per cent in a year.

Everyone In

At the start of the first lockdown last March, the government asked councils to bring everyone who was sleeping rough indoors to protect them from the virus. As a result, Birmingham City Council was able to offer everyone sleeping rough a place in Covid-secure hostels or hotels.

Everyone In was followed by further government programmes, including the Next Steps Accommodation Programme, the Protect Programme and the Cold Weather Fund, each helping people move away from the streets and targeting those who might still be sleeping rough.

The count in Birmingham took place on the night of 19 November, with partners and specialists going out on to the streets.

A partnership approach

The council leads a partnership of voluntary and statutory services that provides street outreach seven days a week, along with accommodation and help with physical and mental health, substance misuse and care needs. It says its flexibility and willingness to adapt during the pandemic have been key.

"An unprecedented year"

Councillor Sharon Thompson, cabinet member for homes and neighbourhoods, thanked everyone involved. "This has been an unprecedented year so I particularly want to thank our partners across the city during what has been an incredibly testing time," she said.

"The council, stakeholders, partners and community-based groups as well as our frontline staff and volunteers have done a fantastic job supporting people sleeping rough through the pandemic."

Worries for the future

But she warned that the full impact of the pandemic on homelessness had not yet been felt.

"Whilst we have seen positive strides as a city and region, we have still not seen the true impact of Covid on homelessness which will only become clear after lockdown is lifted," she said. "The current economic downturn could have huge consequences when it comes to homelessness in the future. The government must prioritise prevention now to stop people becoming homeless in the first place."

She called for councils and government departments to work together to stop people returning to the streets, particularly given the big rise in unemployment. "This means learning the lessons from the pandemic and making services, national funding and policies fit for purpose so we can meet the new challenges that the next year will bring and put an end once and for all to rough sleeping on the streets."

How to help

The figures come as the country remains in its third national lockdown, with the government's plan to ease restrictions set out earlier this week. Charities fear that the end of support schemes, such as the ban on evictions, could push more people towards homelessness later in the year.

Anyone who is worried about someone they think may be sleeping rough is asked to contact StreetLink, which will pass the details on to local outreach teams so that help can reach them quickly.