East Cambridgeshire District Council has taken a significant step towards ending homelessness in the district.

The council will be working in partnership with Cambridgeshire County Council to jointly-fund a full time Housing First project worker dedicated to providing one to one support for homeless people with multiple or complex needs.

Angela Parmenter, Housing and Community Advice Manager at the council, said: “Homelessness is a complicated, sensitive and highly individual issue.

“Here at the council, we do our utmost to ensure that no-one has to live on the streets, and have real options to improve their situations and lives. Our officers work quite literally around the clock to connect people with access to emergency hostels, with a view to securing long-term rented accommodation.

“We also offer support to help address their physical and mental health care needs, apply for benefits and seek employment opportunities.

“Sadly, in some cases where people have high dependency or complex needs they still feel the options available are not right for them.

“This is where Housing First comes in.”

Housing First is the most internationally important innovation in tackling homelessness. It has a proven track record, having lifted around 80 per cent of people, who have complex high support needs out of homelessness permanently.

The Housing First model, which has been successfully trialled elsewhere in Cambridgeshire, prioritises getting people into safe and stable homes. From this point, any other support needs they might have – such as alcohol and drug dependency, physical and/or mental health problems – are addressed through coordinated and intensive support.

Angela added: “If Housing First is not the best option for the individual, we will work with other support services, such as our partners P3 street outreach, to find the right solution.

“In our district, we have the tools, resources, capacity and dedication from our team to offer all homeless people and rough sleepers the opportunity to lift themselves out of the cycle of homelessness and rough sleeping for good."

If you see someone who may be homeless or rough sleeping, you can contact the council on 01353 665555 during office hours, or 07710 978900 outside of office hours and in emergencies. Alternatively, you can recommend they contact Shelter on 0808 800 4444

You can read more about Housing First – the plan to end homelessness on the homeless charity website Crisis.org.uk