Rough Sleeping 2026-09-07 (2)
2026-09-07
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The number of families in temporary accommodation has decreased in Southport, but concerns remain about the most vulnerable individuals who are sleeping rough.
What progress her Department has made on tackling rough sleeping and homelessness in Southport. The number of families in temporary accommodation has decreased year on year, but concerns remain about the most vulnerable individuals who are sleeping rough. Funding for the national rough sleeping programme was announced, but questions remain about its effectiveness in addressing the needs of those least able to navigate bureaucracy.
The number of families in temporary accommodation has decreased in Southport year on year, and in June 2026 no people were sleeping rough in the West Lancashire borough council area. Funding for the national rough sleeping programme was announced last month, with £340,000 allocated to Sefton, £6.7 million to the Liverpool city region and £189,000 to West Lancashire borough council. That will ensure that people sleeping rough in Southport can be offered a roof over their head and be off the streets by Christmas.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Light for Life, a homelessness charity in Southport, reports that some of the rough sleepers with the most complex needs are the least able to navigate the bureaucracy for emergency accommodation. There is a need for a distinct pathway for entrenched rough sleepers and trusted local bodies to triage and provide help.
Light for Life, a homelessness charity in Southport, tells me that some of the rough sleepers with the most complex needs are precisely the people least able to navigate the bureaucracy associated with finding that roof over their head. Will the Minister consider creating a distinct pathway for entrenched rough sleepers, and allowing trusted local bodies to triage people directly and to get them into emergency accommodation, rather than expecting those with addiction issues, poor mental health and chaotic lives to navigate the bureaucracy before they can obtain help?
It is important that we highlight the complexity and challenges faced by many people who are sleeping rough, and it is important that we recognise that that those with complex needs can be the least able to navigate traditional services. Our new £442 million rough sleeping programme will fund routes off the streets, as well as settled accommodation and intensive support. It will bring together the multi-agency support response that is often needed to move people off the streets for good. Local authorities will have the flexibility to work with trusted voluntary organisations that can reach those who are furthest from the services. I am happy to look into the experience that my hon. Friend has described, and the experience of Light for Life in Southport.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Creating a distinct pathway for entrenched rough sleepers
It Is Important That We Highlight The Complexity And Challenges Faced By Many People Who Are Sleeping Rough, And It Is Important That We Recognise That That Those With Complex Needs Can Be The Least Able To Navigate Traditional Services.
Response accuracy