Record 200 homeless approach council each week

Coventry City Council said it was in touch with 200 people a week who were homeless or about to be made homeless

Record numbers of people in Coventry are seeking help with homelessness, a councillor has said.

The City Council reported 200 people a week were approaching it, with rough sleeping the "tip of the iceberg".

"There is a perfect storm of factors that are leading to more people in crisis," said member David Walsh, cabinet member for housing and communities

"They're about to be made homeless, or they're homeless already".

Mr Walsh added: "We do have 200 people a week approaching us, that’s record numbers for the council."

He attributed the situation to a squeeze on funding for support services, the housing crisis and the impact of cost-of-living pressures.

"People on the streets do need more support and it’s getting more and more difficult for them to get that," he explained.

"[But] I think we’re very, very good at getting people support and getting them into accommodation."

An emergency protocol activated during recent freezing temperatures led to four rough sleepers being supported into accommodation

The authority's rough sleeper team goes out from 06:00 GMT daily on welfare checks and to signpost support.

A severe weather emergency protocol (SWEP), ensuring rough sleepers had access to shelter, was activated during the recent spell of sub-zero temperatures.

Housing and homelessness commissioning lead Sophie Hall said it had given her team more opportunity to engage with those in need.

"We’ve got four in as a result of SWEP, so those are four long-termers who would normally be in the city centre," she explained.

"They’ve now secured accommodation, so bad weather brings good things sometimes."

Highlighting her team's continued support after people were housed, she added: “Recently we got someone into accommodation and they had a power cut.

"They didn’t know what to do so they went back out and rough slept. It’s really about keeping them in the accommodation as well.”

Sophie Hall, pictured left, said her team was "committed" and "dedicated"

Residents were urged to report those needing help online so the authority could intervene.

Ms Hall also highlighted a public fund allocating donations to rough sleepers and those at risk of homelessness.

“Every penny donated is used for someone with a history of rough sleeping or rough sleeping," she said.