Women-only housing and rough sleeping pods proposed

People sleeping rough in Worcester could be offered short-term accommodation pods and expanded support services under a £1.7m plan.

Worcester City Council said the proposals were designed to reduce long-term rough sleeping in the city and help people achieve greater stability and independence.

The package includes plans for specialist supported accommodation, women-only housing, additional mental health support and a new outreach service to engage with people sleeping on the streets.

Councillors will be asked to approve the measures at a communities committee meeting on Wednesday.

Council officers said that while levels of rough sleeping in Worcester remained lower than in many comparable urban areas, the city faced a particular challenge with the proportion of people sleeping rough over the long term.

A report to the committee identified a shortage of suitable supported accommodation for people with higher and more complex needs.

One proposal would see the council commission the exclusive use of a building providing accommodation for long-term rough sleepers experiencing multiple disadvantages.

Residents would receive support alongside security and input from a range of agencies, with the aim of helping them achieve long-term stability and independence.

The council also wants to explore dedicated women-only accommodation, providing what it described as a safe and secure space for female rough sleepers.

Short-term accommodation pods are also being considered to provide an immediate route off the streets for people who face barriers to accessing other forms of housing.

Other measures include the appointment of a dedicated rough sleeping social worker and social work assistant, while the council is also exploring the expansion of the NHS Bright Path programme to provide specialist mental health outreach support in Worcester.

Additional rough sleeping support officers are already being recruited, while funding has been provided to extend the opening of Maggs Day Centre to Saturdays and Sundays, allowing access to support seven days a week.

The proposals are backed by funding from two government programmes.

Worcester has been allocated £125,000 a year for three years through the Long-Term Rough Sleeping Innovation Programme, providing a total of £375,000.

The city has also secured almost £1.4m over three years through the government's Rough Sleeping Programme.

According to the council, Worcester is the only district in Worcestershire to receive capital funding through that scheme.

A report to councillors recommends approving the proposed initiatives and granting officers authority to make the necessary funding, procurement and contractual arrangements.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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