Sheffield Council houses 50 rough sleepers - but those still on the streets in ‘increasingly’ dire situations, campaigners warn

Since the crisis began, the number of people using Sheffield city centre has plummeted, depriving rough sleepers in the area of both income and food.

Sheffield Council says it has housed 50 people under a Government-funded scheme to provide accommodation to this group, but activist Chrissy Meleady says many are still on the streets.

She said: “There are rough sleepers all over Sheffield especially round the city centre, the train station and London Road - and many are in increasingly dire situations.

“One man I saw on London Road was clearly very ill. There needs to be a concerted effort to help these people who are very vulnerable.”

Chrissy added that the £3.2m Government scheme to get rough sleepers homed either in temporary accommodation or hotels was missing too many people.

She said: “The scheme has been pushed online but many rough sleepers do not have access to the internet and hotels are refusing to take some as they have dogs.

“Also, many have severe mental health issues. The new law includes measures to move people who do not want to go into secures places but I’m worried that could be very harmful for them.”

Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and community safety at Sheffield Council, Paul Wood, said: “Sheffield City Council has provided accommodation to 50 people in response to the Government request for all rough sleepers to be provided a safe place to stay during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“In addition, hot meals are being supplied directly as well as a bed to sleep in and separate bathing facilities, this also includes onsite support to meet individual needs.

“In normal circumstances, the number of rough sleepers fluctuates on a daily basis in Sheffield and the Council has a plan in place to get people off the streets and into a safe place to stay.

“The accommodation number also includes people whose family and friends can no longer accommodate them at this time.”