Figures reveal how many rough sleepers Colchester has

The latest figures, following a count by the Government, estimated there were two people sleeping on the streets on November 18 of last year as the numbers fell for the fifth year running.

There was estimated to be as many as 20 people without a place to stay in Colchester in 2017, but phenomenal progress has now been hailed by the boss of a homeless shelter.

Marina Woodrow, manager at Colchester Engagement and Next Steps, which acts as the town’s emergency night shelter, said she believes the figures are a “very true reflection” of the current situation.

Marina Woodrow

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She said: “It’s very noticeable you don’t see so many rough sleepers in Colchester anymore or people on the streets begging.

“Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and local authorities doing all they could to ensure homeless people were safe in hotels, many people have been taken off the streets.

“I do know Colchester Council has been very good at assisting rough sleepers during the pandemic and hopefully these people are now recognised in the system and supported by other agencies.

“Although Covid has been absolutely devastating, I do think people are now more engaged than they were before.

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“The worst thing would be to undo all the good work done over the past two years, which would be really sad.

“If the council starts like it means to go on then I think we will continue to see a drop.”

But a wave of homelessness could be on the horizon, as figures from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities show 540 households in Colchester sought council support after becoming homeless between April 2020 and the end of September 2021.

A Colchester Council spokesman said: “The two rough sleepers found in the borough at the time of the count were both known to us and have been offered and accepted accommodation at various times but felt unable to stay in.

“We are really pleased that our housing-led approach is making such a difference and have plans in place to extend the accommodation and support available over the next year.”