Other towns send their homeless here

NEIGHBOURING local authorities are sending homeless people to Warrington because of the town’s night shelter.
As a result, about half the “rough sleepers” in the borough are from other areas – and some have been discovered from as far away as Scotland.
Estimates of how many people sleep on the town’s streets vary.
In June last year the figure was put at 10. Twelve months ago it was estimated at seven.
Earlier counts had suggested only one, or even none. But it was admitted this did not accurately reflect the actual situation.
Statistics for the period December 1 last year to October this year indicated that 171 different people made use of the night shelter facility, 52 per cent having a local connection and 47 with no local connection at all. The origins of the others were not known.
Eighty five per cent were male.
The majority were involved in some form of substance misuse – mainly alcohol.
Data collected between May 20 and July 20 last year show that out of 46 identified individuals at risk of becoming rough sleepers, 24 were reconnected with their families or found accommodation, 11 were re-settled temporarily, five were in custody, five were rough sleeping and one was in hospital.
It was predicted that 48 people were at immediate risk of becoming a rough sleeper, nine were at risk of returning to rough sleeping and six were “entrenched” rough sleepers
A report to Warrington Borough Council’s environment and housing overview and scrutiny committee indicates that demand for emergency accommodation remains constant but could be reduced by managing “out of area” people more effectively.
“A lot of pressure is put onto local services by people who do not have a local connection, which averages 47 per cent.
“Evidence is now emerging that neighbouring local authorities are actively signposting homeless people to Warrington…because similar services do not exist in their areas.
“This is increasing the pressure on local services and resources.”
The report accepts that some people cannot return to their local area for reasons such as domestic violence but says Warrington needs to agree a local approach to out of area presentations.
This will need to involve very short term emergency accommodation, while people are reconnected with families.
The report warns that an increased demand for all homeless people provision can be expected due to housing benefit reforms.
Government policy is for councils to reduce the number of rough sleepers to “as close to zero as possible” by 2012.