Hundreds of people are homeless in Colchester

Latest figures show that more than 500 people were homeless in Colchester on November 23, 2018 when the borough council carried out its annual count.

Homeless charity Shelter revealed that there were 20 individuals sleeping rough on the streets across the borough of Colchester and 490 people in temporary accommodation such as bed and breakfasts or staying temporarily with friends.

Colchester has the highest rate of homelessness in north Essex and east Suffolk, with numbers of rough sleepers rising since 2010. But the number of homeless people in the East of England has dropped by 4% since 2017, in contrast to the 4% increase across Britain.

Over the past 3 years the highest number of successful applications to the council for housing was from young people aged 16-24 and 25-44. The council accepts applications by priority needs, which includes the presence of dependent children in the household.

The 3 main reasons for households being accepted as homeless were: loss of private rented or tied accommodation, being evicted by family/friends and relationship breakdown.

Interestingly between 2015/16 and 2016/17 there was an increase of 35% in accepted applications due to loss of private rented or tied accommodation, but in the last year this has decreased by 35%. Those accepted due to family/friend eviction has remained consistent over the last 2 years and because of relationship breakdowns has decreased slightly.

There are a significant number of single homeless people in Colchester that the Council does not owe a duty to house because they are not in priority need as set out by homelessness legislation.

From the 1st October 2018 public authorities have a statutory duty to refer clients they believe to be homeless or threatened with homelessness to the local authority if it is likely they are homeless or will become homeless within the next 56 days.

Free image- homeless person sleeping rough

Thankfully for homeless people a number of voluntary sector organisations in Colchester provide valuable advice, support and accommodation for the growing number of single homeless people.

The number of homeless clients that Beacon House has provided help and support services to during 2016-17 has increased by 12% compared to 2015-16, while Colchester Night Shelter had a rise of 15% in the same period.