All rough sleepers in St Albans District who want emergency accommodation to protect them from Covid-19 have been provided with it.
The agencies involved in the successful effort to make them safer were Hightown Housing Association’s homeless services team, St Albans City and District Council and a number of local charities including Open Door and Druglink.
In another initiative, plans have also been put in place to ensure the District’s homeless continue to be supplied with food during the lockdown which forced the closure of one free meals service.
Councillor Jacqui Taylor, the council’s portfolio holder for housing, inclusion and protection, said: “We have received extra funding from the government to help rough sleepers during the COVID-19 public health emergency as they are a high-risk group. Along with our partners, we have ensured that all those who have engaged with us and want accommodation have been found it.
“It is hoped that this may also lead to a permanent change in their life for some of them as they will now have access to support services that can help them find a new path.”
Hightown runs several homelessness services in St Albans, including the Open Door night shelter and supported housing services, Martin House and Kent House, and temporary accommodation units at St Claire’s and Marlborough Road.
Hightown homelessness services operations manager, Lou Champness-Nye, said: “It’s a fast-moving situation with numerous challenges, including the need for rough sleepers to want to engage with us, as well as managing individuals with complex issues and no recourse to public funds.
“However, our team has been working tirelessly with our colleagues at St Albans City and District Council and other local groups to get people off the streets so they can abide by social distancing rules, protect their own health and avoid transmitting the virus.”
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