Figures released by the Government today show that 2440 people were estimated to be sleeping rough in England on a single night in autumn 2021. Most people sleeping rough in England were male, aged over 26 years old and from the UK. This is similar to previous years.
At least 42 of those seen to be sleeping rough were in the Norfolk & Waveney area.
Breckland Council – 8 people
East Suffolk Council – 15 people
Great Yarmouth Borough Council – 9 people
Norwich City Council – 10 people
Data was not available on the Department For Levelling Up, Housing and Communities website for Broadland, King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, North Norfolk and South Norfolk Councils
The Rough Sleeping Count took place on one evening in Autumn 2021. Local authorities used either use a count-based estimate of visible rough sleeping, an evidence-based estimate meeting with local agencies or an evidence-based estimate meeting including a spotlight count.
These figures do not include other forms of homelessness, including people in night-shelters, hostels, those in temporary accommodation such as B&Bs or people “sofa surfing”.
In response to the publication of the Rough Sleeper Snapshot Survey, Cecile Roberts, CEO of Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney, says:
“It’s incredibly sad to see that 42 people were found to be sleeping rough here in the Norfolk and Waveney area. With data not available for some of the local authorities in our area, we expect this figure may be a little higher.
“Further to this, the Rough Sleeper Count is not a particularly accurate way of measuring the number of people sleeping rough, as it only considers those people who were seen sleeping rough on just one evening in the Autumn. Many people in that situation are hidden from view, choosing to find somewhere out of sight to bed down due to fears for their safety. It also doesn’t include people who are unstably housed, “sofa-surfing” or living in temporary accommodation such as B&Bs and hostels.
“The good news is that there is support available here in Norfolk for anyone experiencing homelessness. As well as the work we do here at Emmaus, there are many organisations and charities working together around the county to help individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness, as well as working to prevent people becoming homeless.”
If you spot someone sleeping on the streets please contact Street Link by visiting www.streetlink.org.uk or call 0300 500 0914 to send an alert. If you If you think the person you are concerned about is in immediate danger or needs urgent care, please call 999.