A place to call home - more people helped to move off the streets and into their own place

Over the past two years 165 rough sleepers have moved into accommodation and have had ongoing support to help them settle and make a success of their new home.

Wiltshire Council has used government funding and partnership working with housing associations to initiate a scheme known as "Housing Led".

This model provides the accommodation first and then delivers tailored and specific support from a number of agencies working together for that individual to help them to stabilise and sustain their new home.  Having this model is helping avoid the stress where some people have found it too difficult or complex to adapt and they sadly end up returning to the streets.  Rough sleeping is much more complex than simple giving someone a home.

The model is an internationally evidence-based approach which uses independent stable housing to help those with multiple and complex needs to begin recovery and move away from homelessness.

John* is the latest person to move into his own self-contained accommodation as part of this initiative. From day one if he needs help he can contact his Tenancy Support Officer who will provide a holistic approach in supporting his individual needs to provide practical assistance and advice towards financial awareness, referrals to other professional support agencies, support with health needs and develop more independence & life skills to deal with future crisis.

Cllr Phil Alford, Cabinet Member for Housing said: "I want to wish John the best of luck in his new home as he starts the next chapter in his life. We are ready to support him to make these changes a success. This is one of the many ways we can make a real difference. We have been able to provide homes for other rough sleepers who know they have back up if they need it as they move on with their lives."

Wiltshire has successfully submitted bids for government funding to secure self-contained accommodation for particularly long-term and entrenched rough sleepers.

So far the council has bought three x 1 bedroom properties and one x 3-bedroom properties under the scheme and the team is also working to purchase six x 1-bedroom properties and a further 3 bedroom property for shared living. 

If people see someone on the streets they can contactStreetLink (opens new window) which connects rough sleepers with local services that can support them.