Support for Homeless People in Derby
from Derby City Council:
More Details
What's in place for people who are homeless this winter?
There is a range of support available all year round for those homeless or about to become homeless. As the cold weather arrives, we all become more aware of those who may need help.
Whilst the most visible form of homelessness is street homelessness and perhaps the first image that many of us would consider, most homeless ‘approaches’ to the council are less visible. These can include households where family or friends are no longer able to accommodate someone, the end of a private rented tenancy, because of domestic abuse, unemployment or illness.
Derby Homes is responsible for coordinating the city’s response to homelessness and for delivering the Council’s statutory homelessness services. Our priorities are to prevent households from becoming homeless in the first place and to relieve it for those who are already homeless or sleeping rough.
Residents and visitors to the city also have access to an Alternative Giving Scheme which gives people the chance to make a real difference to those who experience homelessness.
Emergency provision, all year round
We are fortunate to have access to enough emergency accommodation in Derby and surrounding areas, which means no-one has to spend a night on the streets.
Throughout the year, there are a wide range of services available to support people who are homeless and people sleeping rough, including the Housing Options service at the Council House, the city’s street outreach teams, hostel networks, the Safe Space initiative, Multi Agency Rough Sleepers Hub, and supported housing providers networks.
There is a plan to address rough sleeping during periods of extreme hot or cold weather, called the Severe Weather Emergency Provision. It puts additional measures on top of usual arrangements during excessively hot or cold weather. Every effort is made to engage with people to ensure they are safe and warm, that they do not have to sleep on the streets and they can access the accommodation and support services they need.