Provision of a Rough Sleeping Rapid Assessment Hub & Outreach/Inreach Service

In spring 2018 Southend-on-Sea City Council (SCC) were invited to co-produce a funding bid with Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (now DLUHC (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)) from the newly launched Rough Sleeping Initiative.

Since our initial award of £425,000 for the winter of 2018/19, we have continued to be successful every year for a range of initiatives totalling investment over £2 million. Our most recent bid for the period of 2022-2025 will enable us to continue to provide:

• A team of assertive outreach/ inreach officers,
• A 12-bed rapid assessment hub providing emergency relief and wraparound support
• A full time Rough Sleeping Coordinator
• A team of Rough Sleeper Navigators, including a focus on people with restricted eligibility
• Personal budgets to increase engagement opportunities and allow individuals to access accommodation/appointments/comfort
• Additional B&B capacity for surge periods
• Specialist Housing Solutions Officers and Private Sector Solutions Officer

The above underpin the aims of the Rough Sleeping Initiative which when announced were to have an immediate impact on the reduction of rough sleeping - halving it by 2022 and eliminating it altogether by 2027.