Lancaster City Council asks people not to give money to homeless as they try to house them during coronavirus pandemic

The council is currently attempting to house the district's rough sleepers - but they say it is harder while generous local people are supporting them financially.

And they said handing over money also brings a risk of transmitting coronavirus.

While it is a tough message, the council believes helping people to stay on the street is ultimately endangering them, with some of the district's rough sleepers particularly vulnerable because of underlying conditions and compromised immune systems.

Coun Dr Erica Lewis, leader of Lancaster City Council, said: "In the last week, Lancaster City Council's homelessness team has done an outstanding job in housing seven of the district’s rough sleepers having stepped up patrols of the streets. That still, however, leaves too many people out on the street.

“We believe some rough sleepers are staying on the street because of the generosity of local residents. At this time we would ask people not to give so we can get them safely into accommodation to protect themselves and others. Offering items and cash also poses the risk of passing on the virus.

“The council has ample housing available for those wanting to come off the streets and once inside, we will be able to connect them with the specialist services and assistance available and offer them the best chance of getting off the streets for good.

“If you want to help rough sleepers, the best thing you can do is to support the official urgent response fund for Lancaster district via https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/coronavirus

"This has been set up to help provide financial assistance for those organisations that are supporting vulnerable people.

“If you are worried about someone who is rough sleeping and perhaps not known to the council, you can contact our housing options team in the following ways:

Call 01524 582257 during office hours (9am-5pm Monday to Friday)

Out of office hours and weekends call 01524 67099

Email [email protected]

Via StreetLink’s 24/7 phone line 0300 500 0914 or online at www.streetlink.org.uk

Coun Lewis added: “Residents who think they may be in danger of becoming homeless should contact the council’s housing options team as soon as possible using the same number and email address and someone will be available to help them take preventative measures to avoid becoming homeless.”

Meanwhile, charities have urged the Government to block-book hotel beds for homeless people to self-isolate from the coronavirus – a move that could affect dozens of Lancaster families.

Doing so could “potentially save thousands of lives” throughout the country, say the Museum of Homelessness, as it warned shared emergency shelters could become “death traps”.

Between July and September last year, 71 households identified as homeless in Lancaster, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government data shows – a decrease of 41 on the same period in 2018.

While this was an a drop on the same period in 2018, across England the number of homeless households rose by 17% over the year.

Matt Downie, director of policy at Crisis, said homeless people are more susceptible to catching and spreading Covid-19, and are more vulnerable to the worst effects of it.

He added: “Not just because the advice is impossible if you don’t have anywhere to live, but also the underlying health needs of the homeless making them more vulnerable – you are three times more likely to have a respiratory illness.”

He said that it was now a “race against time” to ensure people experiencing homelessness have access to self-contained accommodation with private bathrooms.

The Government has already pledged £3.2 million in emergency support for rough sleepers during the outbreak – 8% of which (£263,000) is going to the North West.

Communities secretary Robert Jenrick said: “Public safety and protecting the most vulnerable people in society from coronavirus is this government’s top priority.

“The initial funding that I’ve announced will ensure councils are able to put emergency measures in place to help some of the most vulnerable people in our society to successfully self-isolate.”

However, charities are urging further action, with Crisis calling for an increase to housing benefits and quicker payment of Universal Credit to prevent more people from becoming homeless.

In addition to those identified as being homeless in Lancaster, a further 64 households were threatened with homelessness within 56 days during the third quarter of 2019.

Across England, 34,940 people were identified as homeless, with a further 36,640 at risk.

Matt Turtle, co-founder of campaign group the Museum of Homelessness, said the number of people who risk becoming homeless as a result of the coronavirus is going to increase, as they become unable to buy food or pay their rent.

He said it was really difficult to keep people in shared spaces if anyone shows symptoms, and that finding a solution could “potentially save thousands of people’s lives”.

“If they are staying together in hostels it could literally be like a death trap to them because they are communal,” he added.

“Even if one of them has symptoms it can drag everyone else down – they are exposed to more and more of the virus.”

An MHCLG spokeswoman said the Homelessness Reduction Act had allowed people to access the support they need and that recent rough sleeping statistics showed those sleeping on the streets fell for the second year running.

She added: “We are providing £492 million to tackle rough sleeping and homelessness this year to stop people from becoming homeless and ensuring those that are can rebuild their lives with a roof over their head.”