2021 Manifesto FINAL DRAFT - Flipbook - Page 52
The logical consequence of the
housing crisis and the short
supply of affordable housing has
been that overcrowding,
homelessness and rough sleeping
have increased. The number of
people sleeping rough in
Birmingham city centre continues
to be shocking and deeply
troubling, and the current mayors
record on this is dubious at best.
Rough sleeping is the most visible
form of homelessness, and
rightfully causes concern among
the public and decision makers
alike. Rough sleeping is not
normally the first form of
homelessness that people
experience, but it is the most
catastrophic and places those
sleeping on the streets in a great
deal of danger. Although rough
sleeping is the most visible form
of homelessness, it is also the
least prevalent making it
completely within our gift to end.
Doing so will require a coordinated effort across our region,
to ensure that sufficient
emergency accommodation is
available, that outreach services
effectively help people into
temporary accommodation, and
that initiatives like Housing First
are in place to resolve long term
homelessness and rough
sleeping.
Housing
Tackling rough sleeping