LETTER: Homelessness deserves to be priority issue

The same day I read about the new development at the former Co-op site in Chesterfield, I walked past a young chap homeless and sleeping rough in the doorway of the very same building, in the most appalling weather.

This young man looked absolutely perished. I could not ignore him, instead I got him a sandwich and hot drink and had a chat to him.

He was very polite and clearly not on the streets by choice and advised me he wasn’t offered any local accommodation.

I just wondered if our local MP and council could please reflect on this - new developments are all well and good, but much more important are our frontline services, including mental health community groups and organisations.

The number of homeless people has doubled in the last five years and I believe the growing numbers in Chesterfield are a sad reflection of a totally uncaring and ineffective local council.

P. North

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