Homeless on Lord Street, Southport, raises questions about support

WE have been following up on reports about 'homeless' and rough sleeping still taking place on Lord Street, Southport. With Liverpool City Council and others helping the best they can, we are quite surprised and saddened to hear this. But we are also shocked to hear that a few of those who are thought to be 'homeless' have been seen approaching people and asking for money, over the last few days. The report was given to us by a few members of the public, who do not want to be identified, as they are worried that people might see them as anti-homeless and not as what they say is:- "concern for those on the streets."

The readers are worried as they feel Sefton Council is not giving enough information out to the 'homeless' and doesn't appear to be supporting them, unlike the work done within Liverpool.

We have contacted Sefton Council for information about what is being done to support them and are waiting for a reply. We can also see why the readers are worried, especially as we are told that some of them are still approaching people and asking for money. The main concern is that cash is seen as a likely way to transmit the virus and that they are braking social distancing, often coming in close to elderly people, putting both themselves and the elderly in danger, if true.

We have been in Southport, on 3 April 2020, in order to verify the claims and to see if we could spot this happening ourselves. We did not see people being approached directly by those thought to be homeless, but we did see a few people who are known to be rough sleeping walking closely together around the Town. Also, we did see a known individual who was sat next to a cash point, on Lord Street, that is on the wall of a Sub-Post Office, that is often used by many of the areas vulnerable old people. Some of customers, as well as those walking past, where stopping and giving him things.

This must be a very hard time for the homeless, as many places are no longer taking cash and also conditions when rough sleeping are bad enough, without the risk of catching a virus like COVID-19. We are also fully aware that any enforcement of rules puts those who are homeless at risk of being penalize for being homeless. But also, Police will have to look at how they can enforce distancing if help offered to those who are homeless is refused and they put others in danger.

These are a few websites for those who are homeless to use , in order to get help. Sadly, as our readers have also pointed out, many of them do not have access to the internet and most do not even have phones, so using these links might be a problem currently, and something that is also highlighting the problems faced by them.

Links as as follows:-

► Light for Life are a Charity based on Eastbank Street, that is the 1st point of call for anyone in housing need within Southport and Sefton. They can be contacted on:- 01704501256 only.

► Sefton Council's advise page.

► Shelter  is a UK charity that helps people facing urgent housing issues.

► Homeless.Org.UK If you or someone you know is homeless, you can use this service as a starting point to find the support you need.

► One Vision Housing (OVH) A not for profit organisation providing good quality, affordable homes for you to rent and to buy, in Merseyside, Cheshire and Lancashire.

► Crisis is a national charity for homeless people.

► Citizens Advice 

► Gov.UK

Please remember before the Pandemic, in the UK, the charity Crisis said that those rough sleeping in the UK was forecast to rise by 76% in the next decade unless the Government takes action to tackle it. But now, with the problems faced by many businesses, this prediction is likely to shoot up even more, so we must look at getting long term support in place now, not just for over the Pandemic for those who find themselves homeless for years to come. We would like to hear your views on this very emotive subject and also if you know about any support services other than the above, who can help those currently on the streets, please do let us know. Our email, as ever is:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.

Liverpool City Council moves quickly to relocate rough sleepers

MORE than 60 rough sleepers and homeless people have been moved out of Liverpool City Council's Labre House night hub to alternative accommodation due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Whitechapel Centre staff from across the project worked throughout the weekend to ensure that the majority of people currently using the Camden Street shelter were helped to relocate into more appropriate accommodation.

The team also prepared food parcels for everyone leaving Labre House over the weekend to ensure they had something to eat when they entered their new accommodation. Labre House can accommodate up to 90 rough sleepers per night, but its communal meeting and sleeping areas now make it unsuitable for use during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Liverpool City Council's Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Lynnie Hinnigan, said:- "Liverpool has moved quickly to support its vulnerable, homeless and rough sleeping community during this difficult time. We have been overwhelmed by the offers of support we have received from the City's hotel sector and we still have offers coming in. It illustrates how the people of this City are more than willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with those in most need of help. The challenge for us now is to accommodate those people with complex needs, which we are hoping to do through our existing network of temporary accommodation."

The Council and its partners have been offered the use of more than 100 single occupancy aparthotels and 50 more for family groups across the City during the crisis. Those who remain at Labre House are service users, who require more complex support packages, which means:- 'aparthotel' accommodation would be unsuitable. Meanwhile, the number of people continuing to sleep rough has fallen drastically, with just 3 people seen sleeping on the streets, on Sunday night. Outreach workers from The Whitechapel Centre are continuing their regular City Centre rounds, speaking to those who remain outside and encouraging them to accept help.

Cllr Hinnigan added:- "Whilst we have seen a decrease in the number of people sleeping rough as more accept the support that is being offered, there are still some who are refusing our help and those who come onto the streets to beg. However, we will continue to work with them to ensure that everyone has the support they need."

The drive to relocate all the service users from Labre House will continue at a pace this week. But workers say that some service users, even those who have been found accommodation, may still be coming out onto the streets of Liverpool to beg. If people have concerns about someone sleeping rough on the streets of Liverpool, they can call the Always Room Inside helpline:- 0300 123 2041.

Whitechapel Centre Chief Executive David Carter said:- "Our staff and volunteers have been amazing. They worked tirelessly over the weekend to settle people into their new accommodation and make sure they have everything they need, including toiletries, food and essentials. But this is just the start, our team will be on site 24 hours a day to provide intensive support to enable to people to stay indoors and stay safe. We will also be supporting clients throughout the City who are self isolating with regular welfare calls and distributing regular food parcels."