In response to the increasing number of people found sleeping rough on the streets of Liverpool, a temporary night assessment hub has been opened. The facility will be open from 8pm to 7.30am every day until the 31st of March as part of the Council’s winter plan to fulfil its obligations under the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP). More than 60 units of ‘First Step from the Street’ accommodation have also been secured for rough sleepers during severe weather, and there are additional hotel rooms and ‘sit-up’ spaces across the city.
The new hub, which is situated near the city centre, provides a safe space with separate rooms for males and females to assess housing and support needs. The staff working at the hub are trained to handle the wide range of issues associated with homelessness. People who are rough sleeping will be allowed to stay overnight until alternative accommodation is found for them. The Rough Sleeper Outreach Team will be in charge of coordinating access to the hub. Direct access will not be permitted, and the facility will operate at a limited capacity.
Liverpool’s Cabinet member for Housing, Councillor Sarah Doyle, said that the hub is a dedicated resource aimed at finding accommodation for rough sleepers and identifying the needs of individuals in a safe environment. While it is a hopeful sign, it is not a comprehensive solution to the problem of homelessness. Doyle and the Council leader state that the crisis facing Liverpool cannot be solved through a single council or organisation and that a deep-rooted plan must be put in place to effectively address the issue.
If anyone has concerns about anyone sleeping rough, they can contact the Always Help Available helpline: 03001234041
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