Agenda item

SH: NBC opened the nightshelter on 6^th February 2017. Many rough sleepers willing to engage with us. We have received lots of support from communities given to the nightshelter. It is working extremely well.

PH: Gave out a presentation about the nightshelter.

Still seeing entrenched rough sleepers in the town centre. Complicated by the number of beggars. Still work in progress.

Cllr Hibbert as well as other councillors is a volunteer. 60 volunteers attending to help. The nightshelter has taught us many things about homelessness. It draws on the community for support.

People beginning to stay over 4 weeks and notice a real change in people in using it. People are learning new positive behaviours.

Supply hospitals mattresses which are washable and very comfortable.

People encouraged to access support services.

If forum members want to attend – please contact Phil Harris on pharris@nothampton.gov.uk

ACTION: NM to distribute presentation.

Questions:

What was happening to people who are EU nationals not exercising their rights?

PH: Last Oct somebody died in tent. Some are staying in shelter. But some people chose not to take support. PH responded to the Coroner. We engage and engage with rough sleepers. But will have to take enforcement action if people chose to live in filthy conditions. Our outreach workers receive abuse trying to engage. These are anti-social behaviour.

Worked closely with immigration. The dept will serve EU Nationals with notice and be removed and deported back to their country of origin.

Everyone beginning in the town, has been offered support. We try and get people off the streets before they become entrenched.

Q: Does the nightshelter provide mental health services?

A: Have good links with many  services.

Q: It was originally on British Rail land. Who did NBC buy property from?

Can Healthwatch attend the premises and report about it?

A: Yes.

Q: How long are you there?

A: Planning permission is for 18 months. Looking to get an extension. The use of volunteers has been a real success.

Q: If it’s only temporary and allowed to move on, what do you do with them? We didn’t see homeless people and rough sleepers in the old days. How do you solve this?

A: We recognise the shortage of affordability of housing and this part of the problems. So is the behaviours of some landlords. We are trying to stop this. This is a housing project and is linked to NBC. So housing is the heart of this. Employee attends meetings to find out about housing projects.

Q: What’s the criteria of selection? What does it mean “moving on?” Some people are not able to get affordable housing.

A: Access criteria: Has to be local person or has a close relative. They mustn’t be too high a risk. Eg – no sex offenders allowed due to the fact there is a nursery nearby. People who have history of violence are assessed.

The people using the nightshelter must be willing to engage with support services.

Referral agency will assess and passed on to the nightshelter team. Risk assessments are checked. New people are not allowed in straight away.

A: Communities provide support and people have moved on to these mayors projects. Some people will move to Oasis House or NAASH and other places like that.

Q: What time are they allowed in?

A: 9pm – 9am. Strict on this. People come in around 9-11pm. Volunteers and staff on duty 8:30pm onwards. It goes quiet 1-6pm. Must leave 9am.

Q: This will be difficult in the winter.

A: This is why the support services need to cooperate together. Trying to co-ordinate food projects.