South West of England

The South West region covers Cornwall and the Isles of Silly, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.

We have more than 40 members in the South West including homelessness hostels, day centres and local authorities. Paul Connery is the main point of contact for members in this region.

Every year we ask the homelessness sector to tell us what’s happening in their communities. The results of our Survey of Needs and Provision 2012 told us that in the South West:

• there are 7 fewer projects since 2011
• there are 34 fewer bed spaces since 2011
• 71% of projects had decreased funding in 2011/12
• the most common impact of funding decreases is reduced support for people with complex needs
• the most reported gap in provision is housing for individuals to move on to

Homeless Link's Local Homelessness Statistics Tables and National Summary Table show a wide variety of the latest local figures on statutory and non-statutory homelessness, planned moves and numbers of services.

Cold Weather provision

It is the time of year when agencies and Authorities will be pulling together plans for cold weather provision. If organised and resourced properly this provision can be an opportunity to support rough sleepers indoors on a more permanent basis.

North Devon have invested resources in developing provision due to the success they had last year in engaging rough sleepers and moving them into accommodation.

Nationally provision includes:

• dispersed units
• emergency/night shelter accommodation
• ring fencing beds in current provision
• opening up sitting areas in hostels
• using crash pad accommodation
• B&B accommodation

Liverpool presentation

Birmingham presentation

For further information please see our general cold weather provision pages