Rough Sleeping in King’s Lynn Surges by 45% with Over 50 Children Affected
King’s Lynn faces a 45% rise in rough sleeping, with over 50 children in temporary housing, prompting urgent council action.
King’s Lynn, Homelessness, Temporary Accommodation, West Norfolk Council, Purfleet Trust
King’s Lynn: The number of people sleeping rough in King’s Lynn has really shot up lately. It’s a worrying trend, especially with new housing rules on the horizon.
In the past year, rough sleeping has jumped by 45%. Families needing temporary accommodation are also on the rise, which is tough on everyone.
Right now, there are 83 households in temporary accommodation, and that means over 50 kids are affected. It’s a tough situation for them.
To tackle this, West Norfolk Council is stepping up. They’re launching a new project and have set aside more than £750,000 to help those at risk.
The plan is to focus on early intervention and prevention. They want to make sure people at risk of homelessness get the support they need right away.
But there’s a catch. Some council members are worried that the new Rental Reform Bill might make things worse. They think it could lead to fewer private rentals available.
Cllr Simon Ring has raised concerns that landlords might sell their properties because of stricter rules that give renters more rights.
He mentioned that they’re seeing people with good jobs showing up at their door with nowhere to go. It’s heartbreaking.
Jo Rust, another council member, echoed these worries, saying more families are facing homelessness. But she’s hopeful about the new strategy, which has been well received by local agencies.
Council leader Alistair Beales stressed that this strategy is crucial. He believes anyone can find themselves in a tough spot, and it’s important to have a safety net in place.
They’ve agreed to use over £750,000 in government funding to support homelessness services in the area.
The Purfleet Trust, a local charity, has also seen a big increase in demand for help. They’re supporting around 500 people a year, including those facing eviction or living in their cars.
Kieran Gamble from the Trust says the situation has really escalated. Many people don’t realize how widespread homelessness is.
They’re working hard to give people the skills they need to live independently and avoid needing help in the future. Plus, they’ve started a new fundraising platform to keep their services going.