More support available for people sleeping rough in Swindon

The aim is to help more people access a safe place to stay and connect with specialist support to move away from life on the streets.
An additional 10 emergency bed spaces are now available every night at The Haven Day Centre, a local charity which supports people experiencing homelessness, and the additional capacity means more people can access the specialist support provided by the centre.
As part of the council's ongoing efforts, the Homelessness Prevention Team and Rough Sleeper Team works closely with local partners, including The Haven Day Centre, which provides practical support such as meals, hot drinks, shower and laundry facilities, access to phones and computers, and a safe, welcoming environment where people can receive advice and guidance.
The council has carried out its annual rough sleeper count, a nationally required exercise that provides a snapshot of the number of people sleeping rough in Swindon and helps establish a baseline for the year ahead, with 12 being counted in 2025. 
While the exercise provides a useful snapshot, support is provided throughout the year to help people move away from rough sleeping and prevent homelessness in the first place.
Members of the Rough Sleeper team regularly patrol areas across Swindon, building relationships with people sleeping rough and helping them access accommodation, healthcare, financial support and specialist services.
Each person is offered tailored support based on their individual circumstances. This can include a dedicated case officer, a personalised housing plan and emergency accommodation while longer-term solutions are explored.
The outreach team respond to reports of rough sleeping from members of the public, agencies and streetlink alerts. 
Every person identified as sleeping rough in Swindon has been offered accommodation and this approach will continue throughout the year.
The Homelessness Prevention Team also work with residents who are at risk of losing their home. 
In many cases, officers can prevent homelessness before it happens by working with landlords, family members or others to resolve housing issues and help people remain in suitable accommodation.
The service has a statutory duty to help prevent homelessness and assist residents in securing suitable accommodation where needed. 
By intervening early, the team helps prevent homelessness from occurring in the first place, reducing the need for emergency accommodation and helping people remain in stable housing wherever possible.
Cllr Matty Courtliff, Swindon Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Housing and Property, said: "Behind every person sleeping rough is an individual story and often a complex set of circumstances that have led them to that point. 
"That's why it is so important that support is compassionate, practical and tailored to people's needs.
"Preventing homelessness is just as important as responding to it. Our teams work every day with residents who are at risk of losing their home, helping them access support before they reach crisis point.
"Whether someone is already sleeping rough or worried about becoming homeless, help is available, and I'd encourage anyone who needs support, or who is concerned about somebody sleeping rough, to get in touch as soon as possible."
The additional accommodation and outreach capacity will operate throughout the year, helping ensure that people sleeping rough can access support more quickly and move towards longer-term housing solutions. 
The enhanced support is being funded through a £405,000 grant awarded to Swindon Borough Council through the Government's Routes Off The Street programme.
People who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or concerned about losing their home can contact the Homelessness Prevention Team on 01793 445500 or visit the team at Beckhampton Street, SN1 2JH, without an appointment.
Anyone concerned about a person sleeping rough can make a report through StreetLink, helping outreach teams connect people with the support and accommodation available to them.
 

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