Rough sleepers supported during Covid

When the coronavirus pandemic took hold, Walsall Council housing support staff sprung into action to help people in the town who were sleeping rough.

For years, the authority has run successful initiatives such as Housing First, the Night Shelter and the Rough Sleeper’s Initiative – all of which have been credited with reducing the number of people on the streets since 2016.

But Covid-19 presented a new challenge and workers moved to get rough sleepers safely into hotels before working on support to get a long term solution for them

Faith groups and voluntary organisations also backed the efforts by supplying hot meals for the homeless people.

Between March 23 and May, 16 people were taken off the streets and placed into hotels – 13 of which are now in rented properties or temporary accommodation.

Since July, 21 homeless people have been placed in rented properties or temporary accommodation without the need for sending them to hotels.

The intervention has had a positive impact on many who are now looking forward to a happier Christmas and beyond for the first time in years.

Liam Whelan found himself homeless after splitting up with his girlfriend.

This resulted in the 23-year-old spending two years on the streets where he developed a drug habit and resorted to sleeping in supermarket car parks.

He said: "Being on the streets is hard. I slept in supermarket car parks. I’d wake up everyday and beg in that car park. Everything I did was in there.

"It’s the cold that’s the toughest. You can’t feel your hands. Everyday I was waking up and not eating.

"You know the young generation going to school? Let me tell you something, I thought this would never happen to me. I thought I’d be this, I’d be that.

"But no, it can happen to the best people. Soldiers could become homeless, police could become homeless, a judge could become homeless.

"I needed a bit of help and support to get back on my feet. Claire and Louise (his housing support officers) – if it weren’t for them I don’t know where I’d be now.

"I met Regan, one friend who has never left me since. We do everything together now. We got put into a hotel and I was still going out begging but he said ‘we haven’t got to do this anymore’ but I was stuck.

"But he told me not to do it and it took me ages to get out of the homeless situation. He took me under his wing.

"I’m not on drugs anymore. I learned to stand on my own two feet again. I’m doing well and trying to get a job and have fixed my life up.

"I’ve managed to get my flat and made so much of an achievement over the last couple of months. I am proud of myself.

"Last year, when I was sitting in a doorway, I thought ‘is this me now? Is that what my life will be for years?’ But I’ve got a future now and I can see myself doing something with my life now."

His 21-year-old friend Regan, who is from Walsall, was in the care system but found himself on the streets at the age of 14.

He travelled around the UK sleeping rough in cities such as Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham but it wasn’t until he was back in Walsall when help arrived.

"You don’t get the best experiences being homeless. I had to move around the country going from squats into tents into doorways. It was tough.

"But coronavirus has actually helped every homeless person as much as they want to be helped.

"I had support from the council. I was out begging and someone told me about the virus and gave me a mask. She then gave me a number for the council which I called and they put me in a hotel, where I lived for six months.

"From that, they gave me my own flat. It feels like I can move on with life. I can lock my door and feel a lot safer and want to looking for a job. I’m more motivated. I really appreciate the help I was given."

Walsall Council deputy leader Adrian Andrew said: “I am proud of the service and support we offer to people experiencing homelessness in Walsall and the dedication of our officers and partners in ensuring we maintain this important provision during the Covid crisis.

"At the onset of the pandemic, the council took rapid action to safely house all rough sleepers that were using the winter night shelter ahead of the first lockdown.

"Since then, we have worked to ensure we continue to support those people and others in our community who are either homeless or facing homelessness, while adapting the service we provide and the way we work.

"The homelessness team provides a full service while working remotely and as well as safely providing a face to face service to our residents in temporary accommodation, to victims of domestic violence and to rough sleepers to help them access the services and support they need.

"The council’s outreach team has been out on the streets every day to ensure that everyone has an offer of housing and no one needs to sleep rough.

"Partnership working has been key, and the multi-agency Walsall Homelessness Partnership has continued to deliver a comprehensive homelessness service through our flagship Housing First programme and other initiatives, ensuring that we meet our commitments in the borough.

"A number of local charities and faith groups in Walsall have also been exceptional in providing hot meals and other support, and I am grateful to all of our partners for stepping up to the plate.

"Whatever the challenge, we are determined to offer help and support to the homeless and work towards ending rough sleeping in Walsall."