Portsmouth to provide homes for 200 homeless people

Portsmouth City Council has announced it will provide homes for more than 200 homeless people who have been living in city hotels since the pandemic began.

The council has so far helped about 40 people find their own private rented housing, and will continue to help others who are willing and ready to make such a move.

It has also worked with landlords to accommodate more than 60 people in shared houses so far.

The local authority has also leased unused accommodation blocks in St Michael’s Road and Elm Grove to house up to 110 homeless people who have been using the emergency hotel provision.

The blocks will be used while the council looks for more permanent accommodation. Services will be provided to help the residents make long-term changes to their lives.

They will have their own rooms and access to live-in support from homelessness charities Society of St James and Two Saints.

There will be access to specialist help for those with substance misuse issues and support to help people move towards work or education and long-term accommodation.

A handful of people will also return to the council’s former night shelters, which have been adapted to meet Covid-19 safety requirements.

‘We have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to tackle rough sleeping properly. Every rough sleeper is a human being, not a statistic, and these ambitious plans come after listening to and assessing every person we are housing,’ said cabinet member for housing and preventing homelessness, Cllr Darren Sanders.

‘This package enables us to offer secure, safe accommodation to those who want it while we work with partners on plans we want to last for years. It is clear from listening to rough sleepers that they want support, not just a place to live, and that is what we will offer. The package also means we can continue to provide council homes for those we have a legal duty to house and the many on our waiting list.’

Photo Credit – 921563 (Pixabay)