Report to Support: Test Valley marks World Homelessness Day with campaign to tackle rough sleeping
“Rough sleeping affects our community. Together, we can change it.”
Those are the words of Test Valley Borough Council’s housing cabinet member, Kirsty North, as the authority urges communities to ‘Report to Support’ people sleeping rough and launches a new campaign to mark World Homelessness Day.
To get help to individuals who are sleeping on the streets as quickly as possible, the council is asking people to remember where, when, who:
- Where were they – provide their specific location if possible, ideally using What3words
- When did you see them – time and date
- Who did you see – provide a description
You can then log the information via Streetlink at www.thestreetlink.org.uk, enabling the council’s housing team to track people down swiftly to offer support and assistance.
The council’s housing team has supported 34 individuals who have experienced rough sleeping since last October.
Cllr Kirsty North said: “We can all do our bit and Report to Support those sleeping rough. It is vital that we get out to people as quickly as possible, and if we know where the person is, when they were seen and we know who we’re looking for based on the description, it means we can speed up that process.
“Our commitment remains that, wherever possible, no individual who presents themselves as homeless will have to leave the council offices and sleep rough without first being made an offer of accommodation. For those on the street, support and assistance is available to provide accommodation.
“However, the issues that lead to rough sleeping are often incredibly complex. These are the most vulnerable people in our community and for some, particularly those who have been living on the street for a prolonged period, the thought of coming inside can be utterly terrifying. But it is really important that we know about them and can reach out to them to make sure we’re helping them as best we can.”
One resident, who can’t be named but shared their feedback on the support they had received from the council’s housing team, said: “When I met the officer at Test Valley, I had just endured one of the toughest periods of my life, which has sadly led to addiction issues. With their help, empathy and guidance, I am now addiction free and in my new permanent home. If I could describe the support, it would be a life support machine when you aren’t able until you’re strong enough to do it on your own.”