Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Link Project, which provides drop-in support to rough sleepers and those who are homeless, is currently closed until further notice whilst a review of safety takes place.
The review, being carried out by an outside agency, started on Monday 11 March and it is hoped that initial findings from the review will be available to the District Council by the end of March.
In the meantime, help and support for people who sleep rough continues to be provided as follows:
- P3 operate their 'street outreach' service and identify rough sleepers and refer them to appropriate services.
- Link users can seek advice and support with podiatry appointments, referrals to CGL and jobcentre appointments, from the District Council's Rough Sleeper Engagement Officer, who has been in contact with all service users.
A number of services previously provided via the Link continue to be provided from alternate locations:
- Music sessions have temporarily relocated to Stratford Playhouse.
- Sandwiches and soup are still available at St Gregory's Church on Tuesday evening from 6pm to 7.30pm and at the United Reformed Church on Saturdays and Sundays between 12noon and 2pm.
Support organisations include:
- P3 Charity: housing-related floating support service to over 25s in Warwickshire: 0808 164 6220
- St Basils: housing-related floating support to those aged 16 to 25 in Warwickshire: text NEED ST BASILS to 62277 or call 01789 332 540
- CGL (Change, Grow, Live): alcohol and drug treatment centre: 16 Court St, Leamington Spa, CV31 2BB Tel: 01926 353513
- Citizens Advice Bureau: 25 Meer Street, Stratford-upon-Avon Tel: 01789 200136
- JobCentrePlus: Martin Raff House, Alcester Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 9DA. Tel: 0345 604 3719
Preventing homelessness is a top priority for the District Council. In February 2019 the District Council secured up to £24,000 in funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to support initiatives designed to help reduce rough sleeping in the district. The additional funds are being used to deliver a range of bespoke interventions for entrenched rough sleepers. The District Council's Community Safety team is also working with the local Safer Neighbourhoods Policing Team to tackle rough sleeping and begging.
The District Council has committed funds from its own budget to continue to reduce the use of bed and breakfast accommodation by buying up to 6 properties for temporary housing. It has also approved funding for a revised Tenancy Access Scheme to help households obtain privately rented accommodation.
