The number of rough sleepers in Suffolk has fallen in recent years but leading figures supporting those at risk of homelessness fear the impact of cuts to housing support.
The figures from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities show rough sleeping across England has more than doubled between 2010 and 2023, though levels peaked in 2017 at 4,751 and have since fallen slightly.
All regions of the country have seen an increase in rough sleeping, with the East of England seeing one of the lowest percentage increases in the thirteen years.
Within Suffolk, East Suffolk had the highest levels of rough sleeping last year, followed by the west of the county.
But homelessness charities say they have seen increasing demand for their services and have expressed deep concern about Suffolk County Council’s planned cuts to the housing-related support budget.
Claire Staddon, chief executive officer of Emmaus Suffolk, said: “We are aware of the alarming situation in Suffolk, and these new figures coupled with the news of housing support cuts by Suffolk County Council creates a very worrying backdrop for vulnerable people in Suffolk.
“The county council plans to cut the housing-related support budget, with a view to make significant savings, affecting up to 350 accommodation spaces and removing 199 occupied beds in Ipswich alone. Due to these cuts, we can predict that the number of people experiencing street homelessness will only continue to grow.
“In the past year, we have seen a real uplift in people applying to live in our community accommodation and those attending our drop-in wellbeing hubs.
“In Suffolk, there needs to be more support for those who are ‘just about managing’ and are in full-time jobs but living in their cars or regularly struggling to pay the bills and at risk of eviction – these are the people the statistics don’t capture.”
Ipswich Housing Action Group also expressed concerns about the cuts to housing support.
Jools Ramsey-Palmer, CEO of the group, said: “This is an extremely challenging environment for all local authorities, support agencies and charities, during what continues to be a prolonged Cost of Living and Cost of Housing Crisis.
“Removing supported accommodation means more people will fall into longer-term homelessness – raising levels of rough sleeping and sofa-surfing, and an increasing number of people facing a cycle of securing a private tenancy, struggling to maintain that without support, and facing eviction.
“ihAg is directly affected by the funding cuts, and the Trustees and Senior Management team are committed to finding ways to continue to meet the needs of people seeking our support and being a sustainable charity.”
Responding to concerns about upcoming cuts to housing related support, Councillor Beccy Hopfensperger, cabinet member for adult care at Suffolk County Council, said: “The Council recognises the significance of delivering changes in investment relating to Housing Related Support (HRS), and we remain committed to working with providers, and the District and Borough Councils, as changes are implemented.
"However, the current financial situation for the County Council, which is mirrored by councils across the country, is such that we are left with no option, our focus must be on the provision of statutory services wherever possible.
“To balance our budget this year, we have had to use Council reserves which is simply not sustainable as they can only be used once. We must act to protect our statutory care services, which are a safety net of last resort for thousands of residents across Suffolk.
“To help mitigate any potential impacts of this difficult decision, we are phasing these changes and retaining £1.5 million of funding to ensure that we can continue to provide support to those people we do have statutory responsibilities for, including young people leaving care. Of course, nobody wants to see any increase in homelessness or rough sleeping, and Suffolk County Council continues to take our duty to provide care and support for people very seriously, but we simply do not have the money to fund non-statutory services like HRS as we have in the past.”
Meanwhile, East Suffolk Council stressed that the number of people sleeping rough had fallen since its peak in 2018.
A spokesperson said: “East Suffolk Council’s Housing Needs team provides comprehensive housing advice and homelessness services, including outreach support to anyone reported as rough sleeping, and offers support with temporary accommodation (subject to assessment) and long-term solutions into supported or independent living.
“We will provide appropriate placement and 24/7 support at our Safe to Stay Hub and will continue to offer immediate support and practical solutions, co-ordinated with partners, to anyone with an acute homelessness need presenting to the Assessment Centre at Bridge View, Lowestoft.
“In addition, we will continue to support homeless or threatened with homelessness households regarding housing affordability issues, and can provide financial assistance to prevent or alleviate loss of accommodation through use of various funding, including the Household Support Fund, subject to relevant assessment and criteria.”
A spokesperson for West Suffolk Council said: “The council established a Rough Sleeper Service in 2018 when there were 36 people sleeping rough in West Suffolk. It has continued to reduce the number of people rough sleeping through investment in accommodation and support. We are continuing to encourage the people who are rough sleeping in West Suffolk to take up the support and accommodation that is available to them.”
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