Appeals for support with homelessness in Liverpool soared dramatically during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Calls to Liverpool Council ’s adult social care support line went up by almost 400% in 2020/21 due to the impact of the pandemic, according to a council report.
Almost 14,500 calls were made during the period, an increase of 395% on 2019/20 when 2,909 calls for support were received.
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Careline adult services manages all adult social care enquiries and referrals across the city council boundaries.
The draft strategy, which details Liverpool Council’s approach to tackling homelessness and rough sleeping for 2022-2027, will go before the authority’s social care and health select committee next week for scrutiny.
It details how during the pandemic, more than 1,800 people were housed as part of the council’s Everyone In response, which was the catalyst for a “decrease significantly” in rough sleeping in the city.
The document said: “However, as pandemic restrictions are being lifted there is early evidence of an increase, albeit not to pre-pandemic levels.”
It is detailed how during Covid-19, Liverpool Council was able to end homelessness for more than 750 households - equating to more than 1,400 individuals - through its allocations panel.
However, during May 2021, an increase of rough sleepers was noted with 67 individuals recorded, an increase of 20 per cent on the month previous when 56 were spotted.
Those 67 individuals were seen out on a total of 218 different occasions/nights, an increase of almost 75%.
A “pressing and growing need” still exists for additional temporary accommodation as a result.
In addition, concerns have been raised about the “hidden homelessness” that could come to the fore following the end of a ban last summer on residential evictions during Covid.
The strategy document details how higher demand for housing provision may occur as restrictions have been withdrawn, particularly among those who have experienced domestic abuse.
According to a report to councillors, the draft five year-strategy to end homelessness has been co-produced with partner agencies within the city over the past two years and more recently, undergone significant formal consultation which has included people with lived experience of homelessness.
It seeks to make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring.
It added that the Covid response accelerated progress and “further raised ambitions” which “has culminated in new models of service delivery” and “provided a powerful opportunity to develop a new vision and approach.”
Among these include development of a dedicated street outreach team, enhancing housing provision and creating a transition team to support individuals into independent living.
The draft strategy is expected to go before the council’s cabinet in April this year following scrutiny by committee members next week.
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