How Chesterfield Borough Council has helped rough sleepers during the pandemic

The authority has been working with other councils across Derbyshire to help those without a home amid the current crisis.

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In Chesterfield, the 30 rough sleepers have been housed in local hotels and bed and breakfasts.

The borough council also created temporary accommodation within its own housing stock.

Now, council chiefs are working to try and ensure that all those who have been temporarily housed are able to access suitable, permanent accommodation.

Councillor Chris Ludlow, the borough council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “The way in which the council and our partners have come together to ensure we could house all of the borough’s rough sleepers through the period of the Covid-19 lockdown has been nothing short of outstanding.

“It is therefore not surprising that our efforts alongside our county colleagues have been recognised nationally in the Local Government Association briefing paper on the response to accommodating rough sleepers during the pandemic.

“However, using hotels and other establishments as temporary accommodation was only ever going to be a short-term solution.

“Our aim now is to ensure that all of our rough sleepers have an offer of suitable, permanent accommodation and access to wraparound support services to give them the very best chance of rebuilding their lives.”

A Government spokesperson praised councils' ‘staggering efforts’ so far.

They added: “We've been clear councils must continue to provide safe accommodation to vulnerable rough sleepers and support those moving on from emergency accommodation.”

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