Homeless stats have ‘no quick fix’

Figures collected by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) revealed there were 17 people sleeping rough on Bedford’s streets on a single night last autumn, compared to 12 recorded in 2010.

But council bosses said the 42 per cent increase reflected people coming to Bedford because of the homeless support services available.

Ali Green, chief executive of Bedford-based homeless charity The King’s Arms Project, said: “It doesn’t surprise me the numbers have risen as there is increased pressure on services because of funding and because of the impact of things happening in our country.

“I feel services in Bedford are continually improving but there is no quick fix and there is no silver bullet.”

The statistics showed in Central Beds the number of rough sleepers remained at five between October 1 and November 30 in 2010 and 2011.

A spokesman for Bedford Borough Council said: “There is no reason for anyone to sleep rough in Bedford, as the borough has a wide range of statutory and voluntary services that have contact with those sleeping rough.

“There are a number of factors that have influenced this figure, it would appear 10 out of the 17 individuals did not have an established local connection to Bedford and have been attracted by the range of support services we have on offer.”