THERE are currently between two and four rough sleepers in St Helens – but the council says it is "entirely confident" in finding suitable accommodation for those on the streets.

St Helens Council has confirmed the latest figure, but emphasised that the official annual count which it submits to the Government every year will only be carried out in November.

Figures from the previous annual counts show there were nine rough sleepers in 2017, 14 in 2018, 11 in 2019 and four in 2020.

Asked whether the council is confident that it has sufficient accommodation available for the homeless and rough sleepers, Cllr Jeanie Bell, cabinet member for safer, stronger communities, said: “As a council and as a partnership with local housing and support providers, we are entirely confident in our ability and capacity to engage through outreach with rough sleepers, and find them safe and suitable accommodation.

“A number of things make this possible, including emergency bed spaces which enable an immediate response to get people off the streets, our constant outreach work, the expert support services we have in place and existing supported housing with The Salvation Army and the YMCA, and now the game-changing Champions Court development led by Torus, and funded by a joint bid with the council of over £1.1 million.

“Champions Court is now providing 28 brand new supported housing units with support provide by The Salvation Army, with more coming early next year through the Move On Fund.

“Champions Court will grant us the time and space we need to affect real change for these vulnerable people, enabling individuals to access crucial services that can support their transition into longer term housing and sustain stable tenancies into the future.”

Cllr Bell also issued advice for people who know somebody in need of help.

She added: “If you know someone who is need of support or at risk of becoming homeless please get in touch with our teams and we will help wherever we can, we have excellent relationships with our partner agencies that we can also signpost too additional help where needed.”

If you are concerned about someone you have seen sleeping rough, you can alert local authority and outreach services online at streetlink.org.uk.

If the person you are concerned about may be under 18 please do not contact StreetLink but instead call the police on 999.