City charity helps homeless in big freeze

A Birmingham-based outreach service has helped to reduce the number of rough sleepers facing severely cold weather, after more than doubling its support provision by taking its street visits after hours.

During a two week period of heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures, the Midland Heart Rough Sleepers Team, run in partnership with Birmingham City Council, supplemented its daily street service with an additional night time visit, helping 28 individuals without adequate cover to find a bed for the night.

Those who wanted to remain outside also benefited from extra support, with checks throughout the night and access to medical attention.

The service operates within Midland Heart’s Homeless Service Centre, providing outreach, housing advice, and tenancy support services to help find those at risk a longer term solution to staying off the streets.

Tony Merry, operations manager for care and support at Midland Heart, said: “The extreme cold this winter has been a challenge for everyone, but for the city’s homeless it’s a fight to survive.

“By pulling together and drawing on the team’s expertise, we were able to mobilise the service and offer added support to those who needed it the most.”

During the last quarter of 2009, the outreach team helped to house 40 individuals who were rough sleeping or about to sleep rough, and will continue their street support service throughout the year.

Councillor John Lines, cabinet member for housing at Birmingham City Council, said: "We are committed to reducing the number of rough sleepers in Birmingham and we are pleased that we were able to support the needs of number of people over the winter period.

“We are determined to continue to work closely with Midland Heart to secure a long term solution to tackling homelessness."