Calls to continue support for Hartlepool's homeless after pandemic

Bosses at Hartlepool Borough Council said from the end of March to the start of June a total of 73 homeless people were recorded by the housing advice team.

The majority were supported into short term leases through either the private or social rented sector with advice, guidance and support from housing officers.

Council officers also worked with Families First North East to make Melbourne Hotel in Stockton Road available for extra accommodation for those in need, and in total four single males, one single female and one family were accommodated at the site.

The arrangements came after government ministers at the end of March declared local authorities across the country should identify rough sleepers and ‘get everyone in’ and under a roof for the duration of the lockdown.

Councillors on Hartlepool Borough Council Finance and Policy Committee praised the work to support the homeless in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak and hoped it would continue.

Cllr Brenda Harrison said: “The work that’s been done to help the homeless has been fantastic as a response to the Covid outbreak.

“I would only hope that we can continue that, and I know it comes at a cost and I know there are implications, but the actual idea of keeping people off the streets as much as possible is very good.

“I think it would be just great if we could help those people altogether.”

Cllr Jim Lindridge also noted the council has a duty of care to protect those sleeping rough.

He said: “One homeless person is too much, never mind 73, we do have a duty of care there.

“I think the Melbourne is an important additional resource for Hartlepool Borough Council in reducing homelessness.”

Sally Robinson, director for children’s and joint commissioning services at the council, added they work with other organisations in the area and carry out sweeps of the street to help those sleeping rough.

However she noted there are some individuals on the street who are ‘not necessarily homeless’ and have accommodation but choose to spend time in the day on the streets.

Cllr Christopher Akers-Belcher raised a question over the cost of the Melbourne House provision, which came in at £57,613, and asked if existing facilities for the homeless could have been used instead.

Council officers said they were tasked with providing ‘additional accommodation’ to existing organisations they were in partnership with following the calls from Government ministers at the end of March to get homeless people off the streets.

They added the ‘vast majority’ of the Melbourne Hotel costs came from the 24 hour staffing arrangements to provide support needed.

Other individuals were considered for referral to the Melbourne Hotel but not moved in due to the outcome of the risk assessment, according to council chiefs.

Officers noted all costs have been covered from government grant funding provided to the council specifically to cover the Covid-19 response.

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