Number of Rough Sleepers in Bradford Has Fallen

Bradford Council has welcomed official figures which show the number of people sleeping rough has substantially fallen.

Official government figures published last week, show that on the night of the national rough sleeper count last year there was a 45% reduction from 24 people in 2018 to just 13 in 2019.

In comparison, figures for Yorkshire and Humber only fell by only 2% with national rough sleeping dropping by 9%.

Last year, the council established a new outreach partnership which brought together specialist workers from health, housing and addiction workers to help people out of rough sleeping and into suitable accommodation.

Since the service started the Bradford Homelessness Outreach Partnership has successfully worked with 80 people.

The national rough sleeper count takes place every year on one night in November, with local authorities up and down the country submitting data to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

The figures are independently verified and the MHCLG publishes nationwide data early the following year.

The rough sleeper count is believed to give the best indication of the numbers of rough sleepers, however, it is generally accepted that the actual numbers are likely to be higher.

The authority believes the figures provide solid evidence of a reduction, which is backed up by what officers experience on the streets.

Cllr Ross-Shaw, said: “These government figures show we are making excellent headway in our efforts to reduce rough sleeping.

“Our partnership approach which addresses the complex needs of some of our most vulnerable people is proving to be highly effective.

“The fact that we continue to have people who are still sleeping rough in our district is completely unacceptable and there is still much work to do.”