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More people face losing their home
A CHARITY which helps Sheffield's homeless has been praised by an MP - as new figures show the number of cases in the city could rise by up to a third this year.
In a report to Sheffield Council's neighbourhoods scrutiny committee, officers revealed the amount of people declaring themselves homeless during 2010/11 was predicted to rise to 4,059, up from 3,056 - after falling steadily in recent years from a peak of 7,945 in 2004/5.
The numbers relate to people who present themselves as homeless to the council - around a quarter are assessed as genuinely homeless, most of whom are children forced to move out by their parents, some 38 per cent of all cases.
Others are those whose homes have been repossessed, asylum seekers, people with mental health problems and former prison inmates returning to life on the outside.
Sheffield Council has put together plans to improve its homeless strategy as it looks to tackle the predicted increase.
Meanwhile, Sheffield Central Labour MP Paul Blomfield visited Shelter's Sheffield Helpline and Support Services to meet the charity's staff and local people they have helped.
He said: "I am delighted to be visiting Shelter Sheffield to learn more about the vital work it is doing in supporting homeless and badly housed families in the area. As the local MP, visits like these help me get to the heart of the housing issues facing people right now."
Shelter Sheffield helps people with a huge range of housing problems, from mortgage arrears to problems with their landlords. Its advisers let people know their rights and explain their housing options, also offering specialist help with debt problems and welfare benefits.
The council is focusing services on homeless prevention such as help for people struggling to manage finances and more advice on benefits entitlement so people struggling with bills can afford to stay in their homes.
Specialist housing support services will be made available for young people and there has been a promise to end use of bed and breakfast accommodation for 16 to 17 year-olds.
Further plans include developing supported housing for teenagers leaving home who have special needs, plus support and advice to help people find private accommodation, because there is not enough council housing to go around.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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