During this year’s World Homelessness Day on 10 October, Herefordshire Council has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling homelessness in all its forms
The work of Herefordshire Council’s homelessness outreach and support service has led to significant reductions in homelessness over the past year:
- Rough sleeping decreased by 42.8% (from 21 individuals in August 2023 to 12 in August 2024)
- Homeless applications fell by 36.6% (from 1,472 to 933)
- Temporary accommodation placements increased by 21.2% (from 113 to 137).
The homelessness services include:
Rough sleeper outreach team: This dedicated team works with individuals sleeping rough to address support needs and secure suitable accommodation. They respond to reports of rough sleeping and conduct outreach efforts to locate those in need.
Supported accommodation: Offering tailored support in residential settings for individuals who have experienced homelessness.
Welfare provision: Providing support through food bank referrals, assistance with white goods, income maximisation, and budgeting.
Upstream prevention of homelessness: Building community resilience and intervening at the earliest stages of potential homelessness.
In addition, in December 2023, the council purchased four emergency accommodation pods for individuals facing rough sleeping. These have been positively occupied since their purchase, helping several individual’s secure stable housing.
Following the success of last winter's Night Shelter, which ran from December 2023 to June 2024, plans are underway to recreate this model while exploring sustainable solutions that extend beyond seasonal provisions.
Will Neville, Rough Sleeper Outreach Team Lead for Herefordshire Council, said:
"Our goal is to ensure that homelessness, where it cannot be prevented, is rare, brief, and non-recurring. It's vital to remember that individuals experiencing homelessness are not just statistics; they have unique needs."
If you’re concerned about an individual at risk of homelessness, please contact Housing Solutions at 01342 261 600, housingenquiry@herefordshire.gov.uk, or visit our housing and homelessness page on the website.
If you suspect someone is sleeping rough, report it via Streetlink, and our Rough Sleeper Outreach Team will respond promptly. For urgent welfare concerns, please contact emergency services.
Events during National Homelessness Week
There are a number of events taking place across the county during National Homelessness Week, including:
- Art exhibition: Kicking off the festival, an exhibition at The Courtyard, curated by Hereford College of Arts and Ethos, will run for a week. This exhibition will explore themes of homelessness, inviting visitors to reflect on personal stories through art.
- Open day at The Living Room: On Thursday, the community hub invites residents to explore available support and resources.
- Sleepout with Max Galactic: Join local artist Max Galactic and participants from A Rule of Tum for a sleepout aimed at raising awareness and solidarity for those facing homelessness.
- Fundraising activities: Throughout the week, various organisations, schools, businesses, and churches will organise fundraising efforts to engage the community in homelessness prevention.
The Big Sleep Out
The Big Sleep Out will take place on Friday 11 October at The Left Bank. At least 15 participants will sleep outside, raising sponsorship to fund essential homelessness services and foster empathy for those sleeping rough.