HOMELESSNESS and rough sleeping is a problem across the whole country, including across the borough of St Helens, and it’s a crisis that has got worse in recent years as austerity has impacted lives and many services which exist to protect and support vulnerable people.

At the start of the COVID crisis, government provided councils with money to house rough sleepers in temporary accommodation, and as we hopefully get through the worst of the current situation attention is now turning to how we can continue to support those who need help.

Cllr Jeanie Bell and council staff have done terrific work on this issue. During lockdown we’ve helped more than 70 people, finding safe temporary accommodation for many of them; we’ve worked with partners including the Salvation Army and YMCA; and we’ve given extra funding to Teardrops and Hope House.

Our Housing Options and Advice service has operated throughout lockdown and we’ll continue to do all we can. We’re also receiving support from Liverpool City Region which is going to be basing extra staff here to help tackle homelessness through the Housing First programme.

Finally, as schools welcome back more pupils it’s important to remember that they have all been open every day since lockdown began. For three months, school staff have worked to support vulnerable children and those of keyworkers, helping to keep the country moving and getting us through this difficult time. The Council has worked closely with all our schools and teaching unions on their plans for welcoming back more pupils, and we’ve had very positive feedback from schools, teaching unions and parents on the approach we’ve taken. Thank you to Cllr Sue Murphy and council officers for their hard work on this.

As a former teacher and as a dad of two young children I know how hard our school staff work, and I thank them all.

n If you see someone you think is sleeping rough go to streetlink.org.uk or call 01744 676789.