Homelessness during coronavirus crisis
Posted on Monday 20th April 2020
Newport City Council's housing needs team is dealing with unprecedented levels of demand as the coronavirus outbreak continues to impact on people's lives, jobs and tenancies.
Staff have been involved in finding accommodation for more people than usual because of the crisis, both people sleeping rough and those presenting as homeless. On top of that, there has been a serious reduction in the availability of temporary and rented accommodation.
Our out-of-hours service has been enhanced and appropriate accommodation is being sought for those people who are homeless, including people who sleep rough, and the council is also trying to assist those who are at risk of homelessness.
The council's partners in this sector are also coping with high levels of demand at a time against a considerable pressure on staff and volunteers balanced with a need to protect the health of their staff, volunteers and the people being assisted.
However, we are all working incredibly hard to help as many people as possible including those who were sleeping rough on the city's streets.
Together with the Wallich, Pobl, Eden Gate, the Salvation Army, the Olive Branch, and the council's supporting people service, as well as Gwent Police, we have been seeking to safeguard these vulnerable individuals who have significant health risks at all times, but especially during a pandemic.
We have obtained temporary accommodation for rough sleepers, being mindful of the Welsh Government guidelines to place people in appropriate housing.
However, this has been a complex undertaking as the majority of this small group of individuals have chaotic lives and significant issues in addition to being homeless.
As well as finding them somewhere to stay and organising the provision of three meals a day, we are also ensuring that they have the necessary support professional health, medication and substance abuse services. Toiletries and clothes are also being given if required.
Leaflets detailing the range of support available are being put into breakfast packs and contact details made available for GP, MIND and mental health services. We have also engaged live-in managers for bed and breakfast accommodation.