Extra Emergency Accommodation For Rough Sleepers

We are pleased to announce an increase to the emergency accommodation we can provide to people sleeping rough in Southend.

After a successful trial, we will be offering up to eight additional emergency spaces, seven days a week, for people who are currently sleeping on the streets, on top of our 38 emergency rooms which are available all year round.

The trial, which ran over seven weekends at our Bradbury Day Centre in York Road, saw 20 people access the service. Ten of these people are now in more secure, longer-term accommodation. With HARP’s support, the remaining ten are taking active steps to overcome homelessness.

The temporary increase in emergency accommodation is only possible thanks to a successful Southend Borough Council led bid for central government funding to tackle the rough sleeping crisis. On top of the extension to emergency accommodation, HARP are also able to engage in street outreach work thanks to the additional funding.

Gary Turner, HARP’s Service Operations Manager, said “we have said for many years that we have the expertise to help end homelessness, but not the resources, so we are pleased to announce the extension to our emergency accommodation for people currently sleeping rough. The people using this service will be able to get some much needed rest in a warm, comfortable environment.

"Crucially, they will also be able to engage with our staff and volunteers, and take the steps necessary to get off the streets for good. We’re delighted with the results we’ve seen so far and we hope to build on this and work intensively with people to make the biggest positive impact, so more people can lead happy, healthy lives away from the streets.”