As homeless deaths rise, Portsmouth council tackles rough sleeping
New figures on the number of deaths of homeless people in England and Wales have been released by The Office for National Statistics.
From 2016 to 2017 the national number of identified deaths went up by 30. While Portsmouth saw a slight decrease from six to two identified deaths in the latest figures, the number of homeless people in the seaside city’s busy streets continues to be a problem.
Earlier this year, the Portsmouth Liberal Democrat Council launched a £1 million project with the aim of using the money to buy properties that can shelter the homeless.
Cabinet member for housing, Darren Sanders, said: “We’re trying to tackle rough sleeping. The councillors are putting forward a day and night bed service which is helping around 40 or 50 people who would otherwise sleep rough.
“We know that we also have to tackle any anti-social behaviour that occurs. That’s why we’re governing the number of wardens that patrol our high streets.”
So far, several organisations have been hired to help run the day and night service, one of which is Homeless Action. Reverend Canon Bob White, Vicar of St Mary’s Church, says more has to be done.
He said: “We will never do enough for there will always be more that needs to be done.”
