CITY council staff have started to transform the way they tackle rough sleeping by opening a service for people who have just become homeless and those at risk of homelessness.
The new Somewhere Safe to Stay service offers 12 beds for up to seven nights to newly homeless people while they participate in an intensive assessment that identifies suitable housing and links them with the other support they need.
Somewhere Safe to Stay is operating on an interim basis in Simon House in Paradise Street while the council completes the conversion of Floyds Row in St Aldate’s into a new assessment centre and shelter for up to 56 people.
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A new winter shelter for up to 15 people will also open in Simon House in early November. This will be available to anyone experiencing homelessness – whether or not they have a local connection or recourse to public funds.
The winter-long shelter and Somewhere Safe to Stay will transfer to Floyds Row in January.
Linda Smith, deputy leader and cabinet member for leisure and housing
“It takes more than a roof to end homelessness and Somewhere Safe to Stay is the first stage in our plans.”
Expert assessment and reconnection workers will help people to develop personal housing plans.
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Ms Smith added: "I’m really pleased that St Mungo’s are operating the new service and the winter-long shelter available to anyone experiencing homelessness that will open in early November.
"Their experience of running this type of new assessment service in London and the south of England has seen four fifths of people leaving the streets behind for good.
“We believe that nobody should have to sleep rough in Oxford and the best way to help someone experiencing rough sleeping is to get them to come inside and find the support they need to rebuild their lives.
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"This fundamental change to front end homelessness services and winter accommodation will help us to achieve this and be a catalyst for change across the wider system.”
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