Economic downturn blamed for rise in number of rough sleepers

One hostel, Dock House on St Peter’s Street, which was supposed to close with the opening of the new £5m Crossings hostel on Great Union Street, has opened again to cope with demand.

But because there is no longer a day centre, homeless people are sometimes having to wait in the freezing cold until as late as 10.30pm at night to get a place – if they are lucky.

A count of rough sleepers in November found 15 people out on the street, and hotspots in the city centre include the Deep, where people have been seen trying to keep warm overnight close to the extractor vents.

Operations manager at the Crossings Kelly Thompson said they opened Dock House again in December to see if there was a need during the winter months.

But the 12 beds filled immediately and they have now increased the number to 18, with some people having to share rooms.

She said the economic situation was one factor, as was the lack of affordable housing: “I think the current economic situation is contributing.

“People aren’t sustaining their own tenancies very well and are struggling financially. I think there’s a lack of specialist support for people with chaotic substance misuse and mental health issues.

“The Crossings and the Salvation Army offer the same type of service but we are all full – as soon as a bed becomes available we fill it whin minutes.”

One problem is the number of people with a serious drinking problem needing somewhere to stay. Hostels in Hull are “dry” houses and people can’t take alcohol in with them.

Ms Thompson said: “We need a wet house service for people who are chronic alcoholics. We will house alcoholics but they are not allowed to bring alcohol with them and some of them can’t conform to that kind of restraint as they need to drink frequently and often.”

Ms Thompson said they hoped to be able to get funding to continue opening Dock House beyond March, and would love to see some kind of day service. She said: “We are very grateful for the funding we are getting. Closing Dock House would be a real shame as there will be 18 people who will be homeless when the funding runs out.

“I would also love to have a day centre at the Crossings or Dock House because there’s a definite gap in provision - there are some people who chose to sleep rough but lack the comfort of a day service to get basic needs met, food, warmth and clothes.”

Increasing unemployment is one factor. According to a report by the Centre for Cities think tank last week Hull and Doncaster will face “real challenges” this year.

They predict that by 2016 there will be 2,400 fewer jobs in the private sector and 4,200 less public sector jobs in the city.

The claimant count stands at eight per cent of the working age population in Hull, compared to 2.4 per cent in York.

Foodbanks have been opening at a record rate across the country as the economy stagnates. Hull Foodbank has seen 123 clients in the first eight weeks since opening. Of the 57 people referred to the Foodbank by other agencies, four were homeless.

Project manager Sarah Sidwell said: “We’ve seen a whole spectrum, people who’ve been made redundant and had to travel to the south of England to a funeral to those who have been affected by benefits changes.”

Foodbanks give out three days of food to people struggling to make ends meet.

Hull Foodbank, which is based at St Stephen’s Church on Spring Bank, has distributed more than a tonne of the 4.2 tonnes of food donated by churches, schools and other organisations.

It is looking for more volunteers to help out on the Mondays and Thursdays that it is open to the public.

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