Hastings council defends its strategy to end rough sleeping after criticism from MP

Hastings Borough Council has defended its strategy to reduce the rate of rough sleeping in the town following criticism from MP Sally-Ann Hart.
Rough sleeper stock imageRough sleeper stock image
Rough sleeper stock image

Writing in the Hastings Observer last week, the Conservative MP for Hastings and Rye said she was ‘appalled at the lack of action and determination from the leadership of the Labour Council to deal with’ the problem of homelessness in the town.

She claimed that, despite receiving millions of pounds from central Government, numbers of rough sleepers in Hastings had risen to 48.

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However, a spokesman for the council said the average number was 48 in November 2018 but had dropped to 24 a year later.

They added: “The average so far in February 2020 is 19. A further seven housing placements are planned for this week, so the council is hoping for a still further reduction in numbers of rough sleepers.”

“This progress has been made possible by the council investing its own money into services for rough sleepers, including twice-weekly outreach sessions and a specialist housing options officer.”

The council claimed it had been successful in bidding for Rough Sleeping Initiative and Rapid Rehousing Pathway for the last two years because it was ‘a leader in this field’.

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The spokesman added: “This funding is achieved on behalf of all the district and borough councils in East Sussex and the county council and brings in a further £1,500,000 for services in East Sussex in 2020/21.

“Getting people off the streets is only the first part of the story. Hastings has the highest number of Housing First placements for former rough sleepers in East Sussex. This approach is recognised as national best practice in providing ongoing support for people with multiple and complex needs. We have also been working to incentivise landlords to provide private rented accommodation for former rough sleepers.”

In Hastings, between January 2019 and January 2020, 79 rough sleepers were accommodated, according to the council, and a further 19 cases at imminent risk of rough sleeping were successfully prevented.

Cllr Andy Batsford, lead for housing, said: “While the additional resources to tackle rough sleeping are very welcomed, the short-term nature of many of the grants makes it difficult to plan a long-term strategic approach to this issue, in particular, to address a lack of affordable housing.”

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In response, Sally-Ann Hart added: “It is welcome news that after years of increased numbers of rough sleepers and homelessness in Hastings, we are now seeing a decline in these figures. This is in large part down the focus and attention that central Government has given to areas like Hastings that have particularly suffered with this issue. Most recently the Government has announced nearly a £1million more for Hastings Brough Council to tackle homelessness. This is incredibly welcome news.

“However, we must urge caution with these latest figures. The important part with tackling homelessness is ensuring we provide the security and support that these individuals desperately need. It is no good them ending up in insecure, temporary accommodation with no support just so they are no longer on the streets of Hastings. We must help them with skills, training, employment and long-term housing solutions. Moreover, we must tackle the root causes of homelessness and rough sleeping so that fewer people end up spending nights on the streets of our town.”