ROUGH sleepers are set to be given a helping hand thanks to Stratford District Council.
The authority has teamed up with Orbit Heart of England and Bromford Housing as part of a new approach to improve the situation for homeless people throughout the district.
Their new ‘Housing First’ plan aims to not only help provide housing but also provide help in the form of an intensive support network, which will ensure they can manage day to day challenges such as mental health problems and drug and alcohol dependencies that may have led to them becoming homeless in the first place.
The plan hopes to reconnect vulnerable people to the community and help reduce the isolation many homeless people feel while also removing the stigmatisation associated with homelessness.
It is also expected to help save money across the public sector as health is improved, and anti-social behaviour, street drinking and begging are reduced.
Funding has been secured for around 12 months of work, which is set to begin shortly.
Chris Saint, leader of Stratford District Council, said: “This funding from central government is very welcome. It provides Stratford District Council with an opportunity to pilot this innovative new project that has produced some very positive results elsewhere.
“The council is serious about reducing the numbers sleeping rough within the district and this project gives us an opportunity to achieve this.”
