Fears rough sleepers will die as council cuts loom

There are worries for rough sleepers in Birmingham

Charities in Birmingham have expressed fears over a reduction in the number of emergency beds for rough sleepers.

Those working with homeless people in the city told the BBC that the William Booth Centre run by The Salvation Army would soon be forced to close after funding was withdrawn.

It followed the closure of Washington House, a hostel that previously provided accommodation for around 100 people.

Birmingham City Council, which is in financial crisis, said it remained committed to providing a bed for anybody who needed one.

Phil Ansell, manager of Birmingham City Mission's care centre, described the situation as "uncertain" and said some in hostel accommodation could find themselves back on the streets.

"The worst case scenario with the potential changes is there may be an increase in homeless people dying during the winter," the charity official said.

"Every effort is being made to prevent that from happening but it's always been difficult and it's proving even more difficult this winter."

A Birmingham City Council spokesperson said: “The council remains committed to ensuring that there is a bed space for anyone requiring it, throughout the year.

The authority added: “The Salvation Army were unsuccessful in their bid for a vulnerable adults health and wellbeing services contract, these are services that will now be provided by other organisations."

Bill West spent many years sleeping rough

Bill West, who spent many years sleeping rough after being made homeless in the 1990s and now helps at the care centre, expressed anger at the situation.

"Once the winter comes and the snow comes we know we're going to get a high death rate," he said.

"It happens every Christmas. With these cutbacks I'm dreading this. People are going to die because of this."

The government has announced £100m in funding to protect the homeless from cold weather this winter.

Councils in the Midlands are expected to receive a share of just over £600,000, but some areas such as Worcestershire and Sandwell will miss out completely.

Sharon Thompson, deputy West Midlands mayor and a Birmingham city councillor, welcomed the government announcement, and said all agencies needed to work together.

"We know that homelessness is complex, so I'm really pleased that the deputy prime minister and the minister for homelessness will be leading on this," she told BBC Midlands Today.