Town a magnet for the homeless

A TOTAL of 377 homeless people and “rough sleepers” have been accommodated or supported by Warrington services, a new report has revealed.
But a significant number of them were people with no connection with the town – because Warrington is one of the few authorities providing a range of services for the homeless.
As such, the town has been an attractive location for rough sleepers to migrate to, and this has been a challenge for a number of years, to clearly define the services that are needed for Warrington residents, as all rough sleeper/homeless services have high levels of utilisation/occupancy, the report states.
It is to be presented to the borough council’s Protecting the Most Vulnerable Policy Committee next week.
Services currently provided in the borough comprise:
Room at the Inn – emergency bed and breakfast. Contract value £36,000
Rough sleeper outreach service: Contract value: £120,000
Verve Place – short term supported accommodation for young people: Contract value £242,000.
James Lee House – accommodation for single men at risk of homelessness: Contract value: £352,000.
Accommodation in Winwick Road – 16 units of fully furnished accommodation: Contract value: £160,000.
In addition, the council also commission other services including: Floating Support to Vulnerable Adults: Contract value £520,000 and Warrington Women’s Aid – 13 units of accommodation for women at risk of domestic violence: Contract Value: £122,000.
Clients with no local connection make up 35 per cent of those using Room at the Inn and the Rough Sleeper outreach service, 23 per cent of those using James Lee House, nine per cent of those using Verve Place and two per cent of those using Winwick Road.
The report states that all Warrington’s services work towards the national Supporting People Outcomes framework.
Ninety two per cent of clients have been supported to maximise their income, 64 per cent have taken part in training, education or work-like activities, 84 per cent have been helped to better manage their physical and mental health, 67 per cent have kept accommodation or avoided eviction and 90 per cent have felt they have been supported to achieve more choice and control of their lives, leading to greater independence.