Drive to tackle homelessness and isolation in Hartlepool

Councillors raised the issues as priorities to be addressed by the community safety plan for 2020/21, after the draft document was approved by the Safer Hartlepool Partnership last week.

The proposed strategic objective for the year, according to the plan, is ‘to make Hartlepool a safe, prosperous and enjoyable place to live, work and visit’.

Meanwhile the three key priorities for the partnership listed in the report for 2020/21 are to focus on tackling drugs and alcohol related issues, anti-social behaviour and domestic violence.

However representatives on the audit and governance committee made additional suggestions for areas which need to be tackled over the coming year.

Cllr Marjorie James said: “From a personal point of view I believe the priorities should include homelessness.

“I think they should also include begging on the street, which we’ve already agreed previously was an issue and may become a bigger issue if homeless people are put back on the street without relevant support.

“One of the things that was highlighted during the Covid arrangements earlier this year is most of the homeless individuals were taken out off the streets and placed in positions of care where they could have access to a decent home.”

Cllr James raised concerns homeless people are now having to go back on the streets, and also noted the issue of isolation is one which should be tackled by the plan in the coming months.

She said: “If you are a drunk or an alcoholic then you become quite isolated.

“Making sure they have the support they need to make sure they aren’t experiencing those issues for any longer than they have to, and that they don’t as part of that issue become themselves homeless or isolated, in a way that their only friend is either a bottle or a needle.”

Cllr Brenda Harrison echoed the calls for the issues to be looked at, adding elderly people who become isolated also need to be looked after and supported.

She said: “I believe that during lockdown particularity a lot of good work was done in the areas mentioned.

“The homeless people were taken off the street, they were given accommodation, and also the isolation…there were various systems and various things put in place to help that.

“That sort of good work should continue, so those who would be isolated don’t feel isolated, people who are homeless, won’t be homeless, it shouldn’t have just ended when they eased lockdown.”

Council officers noted many of the concerns raised will fall under the priorities of tackling drug and alcohol related issues and antisocial behaviour as part of the plan.

A consultation has now been launched over the plan, and comments will be incorporated to draw up a final document which will go before the Safer Hartlepool Partnership in November and then, subject to approval, Full Council in December.

An online survey has also been launched for residents to have their say on the plan, which can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Community-safety-plan20-21 and is open until November 1.

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