Herefordshire's 'rough sleeper' figures revealed

7:00am Sunday 3rd March 2013 in News

HEREFORDSHIRE has seen a “significant increase” in rough sleepers seeking help, the council has said.

New government figures suggest the county has 26 rough sleepers, although council bosses say they are working hard to bring numbers down.

“We are totally committed to preventing and reducing homelessness in the county and our dedicated housing solutions team has successfully engaged with most of our 26 rough sleepers,” said Councillor Russell B Hamilton, cabinet member for environment, housing and planning.

“I am pleased to be able to report that as a result of the work we have been doing, seven rough sleepers have been housed recently, six are now staying with friends and another six have chosen to move on and left the county.

“Although this brings our total down to seven rough sleepers in Herefordshire, there can be no room for complacency and we will continue to do all we can to minimise the number of people in this situation.”

The figures have been released by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Nationally, the Homelessness Transition Fund has been setup to help boost the No Second Night Out campaign with a total of £20 million available to combat the issue.

Herefordshire Council says the county has seen “significant increases” in rough sleepers seeking its services.

It believes rural areas are attractive to rough sleepers because of low crime levels and better support services.

“We are also working closely with Worcestershire to tackle single homelessness as a preventative measure to rough sleeping, along with working towards the government agenda of No Second Night Out,” added Councillor Hamilton.

Comments(45)

Gillian1961 says...
11:39am Sun 3 Mar 13

There are going to be even more when this bedroom tax comes inforce next month, i am willing to down size even thou it means i will not be able to look after my disabled grand son to give my daughter a break and more time with her other two children, but i am in rent arrears due to not fault of my own they will not let me move, i have to fine another 25% towards the rent out of £71 a week so i will be joining the homeless

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littlewhitebull says...
12:09pm Sun 3 Mar 13

Gillian, I am sorry to hear of your problems. Yes, I am sure that some people will suffer as a result of this bedroom tax. Hopefully, the authorities will take into account the hardship that can be caused by applying rules in a rigid fashion.
I also hope that the present homeless are not relying on discarded Hereford Times to keep warm - these papers must be in shorter supply with the 50% increase!

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dippyhippy says...
12:52pm Sun 3 Mar 13

Hi Gillian, I really feel for you. The fact that the council will not allow you to downsize is absolutely ridiculous. How are you supposed to come up with extra money if you are already behind?Its beyond me. I have a great deal of sympathy for your family situation. Respite care,although not a statutory provision, is a lifeline to many families,and this has been cut back.Many families now find that the only break they get is when a relative takes over. Your daughter no doubt appreciates the help you give her,to have a break knowing your child is safe and being well cared for is invaluable. I wsh you well,and hope that a solution can be found.
Herefords homeless will no doubt increase in these increasingly hard times,and whilst there are a few who choose this way of life, the majority find themselves homeless through circumstances beyond their control. We would do well to remember the adage"we are all only 3 paycheques away from the street".Sad but true,it could happen to any one of us.

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Biomech says...
1:44pm Sun 3 Mar 13

"We are proud to say we've kicked 6 of them out of the city".

If be interested to know what constitutes the street sleepers, is it people who live on the street or the smack heads who spend their days on the street only to retire to various dishevelled dwellings at night.

Bedroom tax? Rent privately. After all, the council housed repeatedly tell us how council rates are the same as private.

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dippyhippy says...
2:29pm Sun 3 Mar 13

There are definately people sleeping rough in the doorway to Holy Trinity church on Whitecross Road.I can't imagine anyone choosing this for themselves.Relations
hips breaking down,redundancy,addi
ction.The reasons for homelessness are complex,we should all try to show a little kindness. There but for the grace....and all that.

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Biomech says...
2:49pm Sun 3 Mar 13

Indeed. I have sympathy for the homeless due to circumstance. The smackheads, however, I have no time for.

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bobby47 says...
3:56pm Sun 3 Mar 13

Biomech, You put your guns back in your holster. You're on probation and your annual appraisal is due.
Smackheads! You are talking about people who've made the wrong decisions and they probably have an addictive personality that means they become a slave to 'gear' which means they rob from their families, they get kicked out, lose the job they couldn't manage to hold down, end up in the judicial system and then on some doorstep of a shop sleeping rough.
You've gotta look at the world with kinder eyes than that and understand we are all flawed and through bad decisions able to buggar up our lives, lose our job and then our home.
As for Gillian's comment upon this thread of news, you've gotta go to Citizens Advice, write to your MP and have words with your Grandson's Doctor who will be sympathetic to your families plight.

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Biomech says...
4:16pm Sun 3 Mar 13

Nope, I have absolutely no time or sympathy for smack heads

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dippyhippy says...
6:16pm Sun 3 Mar 13

Some people are addicted to prescribed medication, for others ,taking drugs is an escape from intolerable abuse.Its never black and white,there are plenty of grey areas. There are also many"functioning" addicts in society. People who hold down a job etc. but still need a fix.Don't be too quick to judge!

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Biomech says...
7:44pm Sun 3 Mar 13

People who have been on drugs and are doing something about it - sure. But the smackheads I refer to are this disgusting benefits types that make no effort to better themselves and just add to the decay of society. For these, it's not so much a mistake as a way of life.

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oldergit says...
8:39pm Sun 3 Mar 13

It is not a tax!

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retrexs says...
9:29pm Sun 3 Mar 13

what an idiot you are wittering on about smackheads trolling this site with self opinionated trash being honest no one could give a flying f about your opinion so do us all a favor n disappear

who cares if people spend welfare payments on drugs or choose not to seek jobs whilst claiming jsa they are sticking 2 fingers up to the corrupt agenda that is the UK/EU and for this they should be commended not bashed and riddiculed by society

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Biomech says...
9:39pm Sun 3 Mar 13

lol, oh look schiztroll is back

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bobby47 says...
10:09pm Sun 3 Mar 13

And here we go again! I cant do this for one bloody single moment more.
Bye everyone.

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JohnBoym458 says...
11:03am Mon 4 Mar 13

In this day & age there should not be any reason for people sleeping rough unless that is want they want....I feel for them, there are genuine hard luck stories with most of our homeless...Fingers crossed they will all get help...BEFORE THE NEXT INFLUX OF IMMIGRANTS.....But thats not gonna happen is it??????

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Biomech says...
1:43pm Mon 4 Mar 13

Speaking of immigrants ;P Did you know that there are 4 Eastern European food shops next to Steels garage, with another 4 now in Eign Gate. That's 8 in less than 200 meters.

Now before anyone starts raging again and screaming xenophobia - if that were 8 betting shops, cash generators or charity shops in that same space, everyone here would agree that's too many.

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Herefordian07 says...
2:45pm Mon 4 Mar 13

Obviously our Eastern European brothers and sisters are very successful in supplying their clientel with what they want at a price they can afford, perhaps we should ask them into dialogue with Hereford Futures and Stanhope for a few business tips on how to fill the OLM with business's that will be of use to all of us in Hereford

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Shadowstorm says...
3:31pm Mon 4 Mar 13

I remember one time. Me and my friends were in MCD's and a street urchin walked in. God, he stunk the whole place out, within 2 mins of him walking in, the whole place was empty.

It turns out, that he sleeps in a farmers shed and carrys around his poop for his protection.

This is the guy who should be getting help, but apparantly he refuses it.

Not sure what my point is, but i thought i would throw it out there????

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Shadowstorm says...
3:31pm Mon 4 Mar 13

I remember one time. Me and my friends were in MCD's and a street urchin walked in. God, he stunk the whole place out, within 2 mins of him walking in, the whole place was empty.

It turns out, that he sleeps in a farmers shed and carrys around his poop for his protection.

This is the guy who should be getting help, but apparantly he refuses it.

Not sure what my point is, but i thought i would throw it out there????

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Herefordboy says...
3:31pm Mon 4 Mar 13

I think you will find that Tescos can supply everything these "Polish" shops sell and cheaper too.What Tesco can't supply is the under the counter cigarettes and the illegal alcohol etc

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dippyhippy says...
3:33pm Mon 4 Mar 13

Retrexs,could I very politely ask you to take down a notch or two, the venom in the tone of your postings?? I am sure that you are an intelligent and reasonable person who is more than capable of putting their opinion across, without upsetting all and sundry.
Please,just have a little consideration for other posters. We welcome all views and opinions, but bad manners are a no no !!

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Shadowstorm says...
3:41pm Mon 4 Mar 13

retrexs wrote:
what an idiot you are wittering on about smackheads trolling this site with self opinionated trash being honest no one could give a flying f about your opinion so do us all a favor n disappear

who cares if people spend welfare payments on drugs or choose not to seek jobs whilst claiming jsa they are sticking 2 fingers up to the corrupt agenda that is the UK/EU and for this they should be commended not bashed and riddiculed by society
I care, because i have to pay for these people to stay at home and do what they want while i am at work.

people who do that i feel are a waste of space and shouldnt get anything.

should be sent away to the army and taught how to be a real person.

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mizza21 says...
3:47pm Mon 4 Mar 13

It's not usually their fault and it's a little cruel to suggest it is.

Even the "smackheads" are a reflection on us all
On our willingness to care for vulnerable or less fortunate fellows is a measure of our humanity.

I don't want to be ponced off any more than anyone does, but the alternative is bunkers and guns and fear.

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Shadowstorm says...
3:51pm Mon 4 Mar 13

I wasn't saying its there fault, twas suggesting that the ones who sit at home and try not to find a job are a waste of space.

you could just make the ones who dont want to work, do tasks like clean chewing gum of the pavements, clean grafitti of the walls, pick up dog poop, that would make them get a job.

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dodger3 says...
3:54pm Mon 4 Mar 13

It all started with 'care in the community',
thanks Mrs T. Many homeless are often housed by the local authority-but cannot cope, mental health, addiction or lack of life skills. Drug addicts/alcoholics are often housed in totally unsuitable environments and set up to fail.People die on the streets-somebodies child Biomech!.

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dodger3 says...
3:54pm Mon 4 Mar 13

It all started with 'care in the community',
thanks Mrs T. Many homeless are often housed by the local authority-but cannot cope, mental health, addiction or lack of life skills. Drug addicts/alcoholics are often housed in totally unsuitable environments and set up to fail.People die on the streets-somebodies child Biomech!.

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dippyhippy says...
4:00pm Mon 4 Mar 13

I am glad you touched upon the issue of mental health,Dodger3,peopl
e often do not realise that those who are "refusing" help,have other issues. Unless they are a danger to themselves or others,help cannot be forced upon them. As I said earlier,nothing is black and white, a little kindness shown towards our fellow men/women should not be too much to ask.

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Biomech says...
4:07pm Mon 4 Mar 13

I stand by my opinion :) People down on their luck deserve help. People who maintain a drug fuelled, criminal way of living don't deserve anything.

Benefits are for help, they should never be a way of life.

Also, I spied a young homeless girl in the subway on my way to a Christmas party this time around. I didn't recognise her as a local smackhead and she didn't have the hallmarks of one. I wished her a merry Christmas and gave her a bottle of my wine :) ...... let's just hope she wasn't a recovering alcoholic :P

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dippyhippy says...
4:39pm Mon 4 Mar 13

Biomech, I completely respect your opinion - and we do agree on several points. Benefits are for help,and shouldn't be a way of life. Unfortunately,there will always be some in society who require more assistance.I am glad you gave her the bottle of wine ,thats a really nice thing to do,and I feel sure that it was appreciated,it just shows that there is a very kind side to you!!

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Biomech says...
5:16pm Mon 4 Mar 13

Sssshhh, don't tell everyone! You'll ruining my reputation :P

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Biomech says...
5:16pm Mon 4 Mar 13

Sssshhh, don't tell everyone! You'll ruin my reputation :P

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dippyhippy says...
5:21pm Mon 4 Mar 13

You do make me chuckle!!

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retrexs says...
6:08pm Mon 4 Mar 13

if you handed me a bottle of wineid smash it round your pompus middleclass head


might knock some sense into you but i doubt that

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Ubique5740 says...
6:19pm Mon 4 Mar 13

See that retrexs is still in obnoxious mood - a very sad member of the human race.

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Werintrouble says...
6:21pm Mon 4 Mar 13

You are all ruining this site. Be nice to each other. It's not difficult you know.

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Biomech says...
7:47pm Mon 4 Mar 13

She's just trolling - and very badly. Notice how there's no substance? It's just badly worded insults, she wants you to reply and rage, that's the only reason she posts.

Watch....

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dippyhippy says...
9:23pm Mon 4 Mar 13

Werintrouble, do not despair. Give Retrexs a little patience, love and understanding,and he will come round.There's good in us all .

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General Cafuffle says...
9:49pm Tue 5 Mar 13

What about the Big Issue sellers "help the homeless" how come they only sell from 9-5?.
How come this one has been homless for at least 6 years but god knows how much she rakes in between her patches at John Menzies and All Saints
My point half of these beggars are just that Beggars they are no more homless than you and I.

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SchizTroll says...
9:13am Wed 6 Mar 13

Biomech wrote:
lol, oh look schiztroll is back
Wrong again buddy. Your all mixed up as usual. I ainyt retrex but totally agree the mindless troll comment.

So bnpmech has managed to get the thread round to dissing east European shops and making out homeless people are all smack heads. More far right bait from that uncaring cesspit brain. I pity your miserable existence. Wheres the warmth? Everything is a rant against outsiders or scroungers with you not an ounce seeing the good in people.

Yeah agree with retrex just troll off sad boy and go back to jumping over walls

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SchizTroll says...
9:41am Wed 6 Mar 13

Biomech wrote:
People who have been on drugs and are doing something about it - sure. But the smackheads I refer to are this disgusting benefits types that make no effort to better themselves and just add to the decay of society. For these, it's not so much a mistake as a way of life.
See what I mean? The Nazis used to say stuff like this. Where next bnp? Round em up and make them " disappear'? You aare a nasty boy.

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Shadowstorm says...
11:09am Wed 6 Mar 13

perhaps retrex and schiztroll are the same person, i have never seen them in the same room together......... ;)

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Shadowstorm says...
11:10am Wed 6 Mar 13

like superman and clark kent, or batman and bruce wayne.

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Werintrouble says...
1:59pm Wed 6 Mar 13

We are making ourselves look stupid throwing insults at each other. Readers will think us as idiots and stop taking any notice of our views.
During the last few months more and more Councilors are writing in expressing their concerns which, I think, was the original point of us all doing this.
If we make ourselves look stupid we will stop having an impact upon the Council.
Please, stop trading insults.

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SchizTroll says...
10:45pm Wed 6 Mar 13

Shadowstorm wrote:
perhaps retrex and schiztroll are the same person, i have never seen them in the same room together......... ;)
nah. barking up the wrong tree there bruv. No ukip supporter me. hate them, bunch of phobes the lot of em, cant stick the racist rednecks.

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SchizTroll says...
10:52pm Wed 6 Mar 13

Werintrouble wrote:
We are making ourselves look stupid throwing insults at each other. Readers will think us as idiots and stop taking any notice of our views.
During the last few months more and more Councilors are writing in expressing their concerns which, I think, was the original point of us all doing this.
If we make ourselves look stupid we will stop having an impact upon the Council.
Please, stop trading insults.
LOL!! "Readers will think us as idiots and stop taking any notice of our views'

couldnt have said it any better. :-))

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