Welsh Government data shows a 72% rise across Wales
Rough sleeping across Wales has gone up by three-quarters in a year.
On November 3, 2016, the Welsh Government carried out their second annual count of people sleeping rough across Wales.
It gives a one-night snapshot of the numbers of those sleeping rough across the country.
That count recorded a 72% rise across Wales with 141 people were observed sleeping rough compared to 82 in 2015.
The highest number of rough sleepers on the night of the count was in Cardiff where 53 people were counted. That's up 77% from the 30 counted in November 2015.
The count covered the period between 10pm on November 3 and 5am on November 4, 2016.
Here's where people sleep rough in Wales:
- Anglesey 1
- Gwynedd 3
- Conwy 9
- Denbighshire 2
- Flintshire 0
- Wrexham 27
- Powys 0
- Ceredigion 3
- Pembrokeshire 0
- Carmarthenshire 0
- Swansea 16
- Neath Port Talbot 0
- Bridgend 5
- Vale of Glamorgan 0
- Cardiff 53
- Rhondda Cynon Taf 2
- Merthyr Tydfil 4
- Caerphilly 4
- Blaenau Gwent 0
- Torfaen 0
- Monmouthshire 0
- Newport 12
Cardiff reported having 70 emergency bed spaces on the night of the snapshot count, of which only 26 were available.
This was the same number of beds as in 2015, but in that year just three were unoccupied.
Rhondda Cynon Taf was the only other area in South Wales that reported having emergency beds, 16, of which one was available on the night of
the count. This was down from 26 available beds in 2015.
the count. This was down from 26 available beds in 2015.
The counts are snapshot estimates and can provide only a very broad indication of rough sleeping levels in particular areas on the night of the count.
They do not include people in hostels or night shelters, sofa surfers, people in campsites or other sites used for recreational purposes or organised protests, squatters or travellers.
As well as the one night count, the Welsh Government also gathered information from local agencies, health organisations and other community service groups in contact with rough sleepers in the two weeks before the count. They estimated over that period there were 313 people sleeping rough in Wales.
In 2015 that estimate was 240.
Over that two week period in Cardiff, there were 85 people sleeping rough - the highest number in Wales. This was up 33% from 64 counted in November 2015.
'Not enough is being done'
While direct comparisons between different years may be affected by the counts and surveys taking place at slightly different times of year, they may indicate an increase in rough sleeping.
Mia Rees, Public Affairs and Research Manager at The Wallich said: “Looking at both the Welsh Government and our own statistics it is clear that, although the Welsh Government has taken steps, not enough is being done to prevent rough sleeping in Wales.
"It is incredibly concerning to see this large increase across the whole of Wales and we hope that both the Welsh and UK Governments take notice of this worrying trend."
She added that the charity's Rough Sleepers Intervention Teams collect data on the number of people they have contact with every day.
They say their own figures show a consistent rise in the number of rough sleepers in all areas, apart from Bridgend, over the last three years.
What is happening to help people in Cardiff?
Cabinet member Susan Elsmore said: “We take extremely seriously the issue of rough sleeping and recognise that the numbers of people sleeping rough has increased. Because the issues are complex we are currently involved in multi-agency discussions with partners, including local businesses, third sector services and the police with the aim of addressing this with appropriate responses, whilst ensuring we continue to support vulnerable people from sleeping rough into accommodation.
“The council cares about individuals who sleep rough in Cardiff and is committed to working with them to support them to access services. Our Outreach team undertakes daily and evening sessions from 6am to 9pm to engage with people sleeping rough or who are at risk of sleeping rough, working with homeless charities such as Huggard, the Salvation Army, Wallich and the YMCA. This invaluable partnership provides hostel accommodation, a day centre for the homeless, an early morning rough sleeper intervention and night bus outreach service.
“We hold weekly multi-agency meetings with all frontline partners to ensure we maintain the best intelligence on rough sleepers, so that we can identify and engage with people at the earliest opportunity.
“Cardiff also operates a Rough Sleepers’ project, which takes people directly from the streets and places them into self-contained accommodation, in circumstances when a hostel placement would be unsuitable. However, it must be recognised that individuals who sleep rough will often have enormously complex issues. There are a number of ‘very hard to reach’ service users where engagement can be problematic and limited and, in some circumstances, for example when people choose not to access our accommodation, instead sleeping rough for many years, the Outreach team works directly with them on a daily basis.
“We are extremely grateful to the Homeless Alliance of faith groups who also run a night shelter during the winter. This emergency provision allows those sleeping rough to come off the streets during the coldest periods of the year.”
And the Welsh Government?
A Welsh Government spokeswoman said: “In 2015, our new legislation to help everyone who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless came into effect and has already helped around 3,500 vulnerable people. However, we fully recognise that there is more to do and we expect Local Authorities to focus on preventing and relieving homelessness wherever possible.
"We have recently announced nearly £8 million for the Homelessness Prevention Programme and also fund short term accommodation and provide support to help homeless people regain their independence. “
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/number-people-sleeping-rough-across-12538785
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